Russian regions may soon be granted the authority to impose a complete ban on the circulation of all smoking mixtures and vapes within their territories. The proposal was put forward by Gleb Nikitin, Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, during a conversation with President Vladimir Putin.
Nikitin expressed deep concern over the spread of these products, particularly among young children, noting that the problem is affecting younger demographics and is no longer perceived as negative. “It would be a good idea to give regions the authority for a complete ban (on vapes),” the governor stated, offering his region as a pilot for implementing a full prohibition on retail and wholesale trade. President Putin supported the idea, calling it a “good proposal.”
This comes as Russia continues to tighten regulations, with recent laws introducing fines of up to 2 million rubles for selling vapes and cigarettes to minors. Doctors are particularly worried about cheap, disposable vapes, often from unknown Chinese manufacturers, which contain unverified substances and pose serious health risks, including cardiovascular problems.
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