A bill proposing a complete ban on the wholesale and retail sale of all nicotine-containing products, including vapes and electronic cigarettes, is set to be introduced to the Russian State Duma on June 23rd. Spearheaded by Sergey Mironov, leader of the “A Just Russia – For Truth” faction, and Yana Lantratova, chair of a Duma committee, the initiative aims to protect public health, especially among youth.
The draft law suggests substantial administrative fines for violations: 25,000-50,000 rubles for individuals (typically shop assistants) and 500,000-1 million rubles for legal entities. Penalties for selling to minors would be even harsher, ranging from 300,000-500,000 rubles for individuals to 1.5-2 million rubles for companies. Mironov highlighted that around 4 million Russians use e-cigarettes, including many teenagers who find them appealing due to the lack of tobacco smell and ease of concealment. He noted that despite existing restrictions, such as a 2023 ban on flavored nicotine products and their open display, many shops continue to ignore the rules, necessitating more radical steps. This bill follows a previous proposal to empower teachers to confiscate vapes from students.
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