Russia's proposed tobacco product regulation and licensing requirements

Apr.14.2023
Russia's proposed tobacco product regulation and licensing requirements
Russia proposes mandatory licenses for tobacco products and raw materials, effective from September 1, 2023.

On April 12th, the "Proposal on State Regulation of the Production and Circulation of Tobacco Products, Tobacco Industry Products, Nicotine-Containing Products and Their Raw Materials" (No. 310882-8, hereinafter referred to as "the Proposal") was passed in the first reading by the State Duma of Russia.


The following are the original text and Chinese translation of the relevant proposal by 2FIRSTS.


Classification of Mandatory Licensing Types


The first section of Article 8 of the proposal stipulates mandatory licensing requirements for the production and sale of tobacco products, nicotine-containing products, and raw materials used to produce such products.


What kinds of tobacco products are specifically covered by the license? Which stages require specific licenses? Is a license required for the import and export of products? Liang Jiasen, a market researcher for 2FIRSTS in Russia, provided a professional interpretation of the proposal.


According to the first part of Article 8 in general terms, activities related to the production and sale of tobacco products, nicotine-containing products, and materials utilized in the production of these products require a license.


The production, storage, and supply of tobacco products, raw materials, nicotine-containing products, and raw materials for the production, storage, and supply of tobacco products and nicotine-containing products are involved in their import and export within the Russian Federation. The circulation of raw materials and nicotine-containing raw materials is also included in their import and export within the Russian Federation. Additionally, the purchase of tobacco products and nicotine-containing products for use as duty-free trade under customs procedures, as well as the production, storage, and supply of cigars and related activities are included.


Experts Interpret


According to Liang Jiasen, a market researcher at 2FIRSTS, the first item on the license refers to a "raw material production license" for the production, storage, and supply of tobacco products, raw materials, nicotine-containing products, and nicotine raw materials. Such a license is required at every stage of the raw material production process.


Regarding the second provision on "production, storage and supply of tobacco products and products containing nicotine," this license is known as a "product manufacturing license," which is required for all stages of production for such products.


In relation to the third point regarding the circulation of tobacco and nicotine-containing products entering and exiting the Russian Federation, the license referred to is the "Product Import License". This license is necessary for the importation of such products into Russia and must be presented at all relevant stages of the process.


In relation to the fourth item on the import and export of raw materials and nicotine raw materials into and out of the Russian Federation, the license required is the "Raw Material Import License", which is necessary for the importation of such products into Russia. This license is required for all relevant import processes in Russia.


Regarding the fifth provision which pertains to the production, storage, and supply of cigars, it is identified as the "Cigar Production License" of the Russian Federation.


Regarding the sixth provision, which pertains to the purchase of tobacco and nicotine-containing products for sale as duty-free goods under customs procedures, this clause is part of the Russian Federation's "License for the Circulation of Duty-Free Tobacco and Nicotine products.


Scheduled to take effect on September 1st, 2023.


If the proposal is ultimately passed through the Russian legislative process, it will come into effect on September 1, 2023, with the mandatory licensing provisions outlined in Section 8, Part 1 of the proposal to be implemented on the same date. Holding a license will become a requirement from March 1, 2024. If tobacco manufacturers are found to not have a license, to have their license suspended or revoked, their production equipment will be ordered to be sealed.


2FIRSTS will continue to interpret and provide further details on laws and related content.


Topic: Progress and Expert Analysis on Russia's Ban on Flavored E-cigarettes (Click the Image Below to Jump)


Expert Analysis Series:


Expert analysis 1: The ban on flavored e-cigarettes in Russia includes all products, and the specific standards for additives have yet to be disclosed.


Expert analysis 2: Russia sets minimum retail price for e-cigarettes to reduce demand for nicotine products.


Further Reading:


Manufacturers of nicotine products in Russia now need to apply for a license following the approval of a draft law during its first reading.


Timeline and Background of Russia's Taste Ban Law Passed in Three Readings in One Day


On September 1st, a ban on flavor additives in e-cigarettes in Russia will take effect. The proposal text is available in reference 3. On April 11th, a proposal to ban flavored e-cigarettes in Russia will undergo its first discussion.


Russia proposes to impose a maximum fine of 500,000 rubles on those who sell electronic cigarettes to minors.


What is the progress in the ban on flavored products in the Russian legislative process?



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

UK HMRC Launches Vape Duty Stamps on October 1, Ushering in Supply-Chain Traceability as Chinese Exporters Face New Compliance Hurdles
UK HMRC Launches Vape Duty Stamps on October 1, Ushering in Supply-Chain Traceability as Chinese Exporters Face New Compliance Hurdles
HM Revenue & Customs put the UK's Vaping Products Duty and Vaping Duty Stamps Scheme into effect on October 1. All vaping liquids manufactured in or imported into the UK are now subject to duty at £2.20 per 10ml, regardless of nicotine content. The stamp regime will introduce digital functionality designed to provide traceability throughout the supply chain, with approved manufacturers, importers and warehousekeepers required to report product movements and retailers and consumers eventually able to scan stamps to verify authenticity. China exported $177 million of vape-related products to the UK in August, up 51.4% year over year, increasing the significance of the new compliance regime for China's Shenzhen-centered vape supply chain.
Regulations
Oct.04
JUUL Purchasers Ask Ninth Circuit to Preserve Antitrust Classes in Case Over Altria’s $12.8 Billion Investment
JUUL Purchasers Ask Ninth Circuit to Preserve Antitrust Classes in Case Over Altria’s $12.8 Billion Investment
Private antitrust litigation stemming from Altria's 2018 $12.8 billion investment for a 35% economic interest in JUUL is advancing before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Direct purchasers, indirect purchasers and indirect resellers of JUUL products filed answering briefs this week seeking to preserve class certifications granted by a California federal court in February. Altria and JUUL argue that individual consumers and large distributors differ too much in purchasing terms to remain in a single direct-purchaser class, while a separate dispute concerns whether California antitrust law can apply to indirect purchasers across 27 jurisdictions. A September trial has been put on hold during the appeal.
Sep.23
Latest UK ONS Data: Vaping Rate Edges Down to 9.9% in 2025, a Year After Overtaking Cigarette Smoking
Latest UK ONS Data: Vaping Rate Edges Down to 9.9% in 2025, a Year After Overtaking Cigarette Smoking
Vaping prevalence in Great Britain edged down to 9.9% in 2025 from 10.0% in 2024, with the number of adult users holding at approximately 5.4 million for a second consecutive year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). E-cigarette use had risen from 6.4% in 2020 to 10.0% in 2024, when it exceeded cigarette smoking prevalence for the first time. Cigarette smoking continued to decline to 8.7% in 2025, widening the gap to 1.2 percentage points. Daily vaping declined slightly, while usage among adults aged 25–34 increased despite falling rates in other age groups.
DATA
Oct.14
GAO Audit Finds Nearly 132,000 FDA Tobacco Applications Waiting an Average 1,266 Days as Nicotine Pouch Pilot Practices Move Into Vape PMTA Reviews
GAO Audit Finds Nearly 132,000 FDA Tobacco Applications Waiting an Average 1,266 Days as Nicotine Pouch Pilot Practices Move Into Vape PMTA Reviews
A U.S. Government Accountability Office audit found that 131,915 tobacco product applications submitted to the FDA since 2018 remained without a final review as of December 31, 2025, with pending applications waiting an average of 1,266 days. GAO also found FDA lacks the data needed to systematically determine whether scientific reviews meet applicable timelines. HHS agreed to upgrade the agency's tracking systems. At the same time, FDA has begun applying lessons from its nicotine pouch PMTA pilot to e-cigarette reviews, while changes to enforcement policy and electronic submissions are making the specific stage of a PMTA increasingly relevant to market access.
FDA
Oct.03
Imperial Brands Sees Double-Digit NGP Growth as Sixth Year of Tobacco Revenue Gains Backs £1.5 Billion Buyback
Imperial Brands Sees Double-Digit NGP Growth as Sixth Year of Tobacco Revenue Gains Backs £1.5 Billion Buyback
Imperial Brands reaffirmed its FY26 guidance in its October 8 pre-close trading update, forecasting double-digit net revenue growth in next-generation products and share gains across heated tobacco, vape and modern oral. Tobacco net revenue is expected to grow at a low-single-digit rate, marking a sixth consecutive year of growth. The company has completed its £1.45 billion FY26 share repurchase and announced a £1.5 billion buyback for FY27. Group adjusted operating profit is expected to increase 3% to 5%, while free cash flow is forecast to exceed £2.2 billion.
Oct.09
FDA Grants PMTA Authorization to 11 ZYN ULTRA Nicotine Pouches, Bringing Total Authorized Pouches to 43
FDA Grants PMTA Authorization to 11 ZYN ULTRA Nicotine Pouches, Bringing Total Authorized Pouches to 43
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized 11 ZYN ULTRA nicotine pouch products made by Swedish Match USA through the premarket tobacco product application pathway on August 21, 2026. Ten of the authorized products have a labeled nicotine content of 9 mg, while ZYN ULTRA Smooth was authorized at 11 mg. The reviews were conducted through FDA’s nicotine pouch PMTA pilot program. FDA has now authorized 43 nicotine pouch products, including 23 through the pilot.
Aug.24