Russian MPs back complete ban on vapes
Russian lawmakers are ready to support a blanket ban on vape sales, Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin has said. He pointed to the obvious health risks associated with vaping, stressing that only strict measures could shield minors from 'liquid poison.'
On Monday, Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov called for prohibiting the sales of vapes, arguing that the current age limits 'do not always work effectively.' He added that the issue concerns him directly as a father of several children and noted that he is well aware that vape sellers target minors.
The next day, Volodin voiced support for the initiative and signaled that the parliament 'expects a corresponding legislative initiative from the government,' adding that lawmakers 'will support it, and will consider the bill as a priority.'
The speaker noted that the health dangers of vaping are beyond doubt. 'Vape liquids contain heavy metals, and toxic compounds,' he said, recalling that the earlier legislation banning vape sales to minors did not yield the desired result.
'Even under threat of penalties, dishonest sellers continue to offer this liquid poison to teenagers. Only a complete ban and removal of vapes from store shelves will help protect children from their harmful effects,' he said.
In April 2023, Russia passed a law prohibiting the sale of vapes to minors, including nicotine-free products. Penalties include heavy fines or correctional work. In 2024, the excise tax on nicotine liquids was doubled, a move the Finance Ministry described as 'prohibitive.'
According to a SuperJob poll in 2023, the share of Russian smokers using vapes has nearly tripled in recent years. The survey suggested that 21% of smokers now use only electronic vaporizers, and another 16% use both vapes and traditional cigarettes. In 2019, those figures stood at just 8% and 12%, respectively.
The same year, RIA Novosti reported that between 3.5 and 4 million Russians use electronic nicotine delivery systems.
Critics of the harsh measures, however, have warned that a full ban could backfire by driving users to the black market. In addition, the Russian Finance Ministry projected a potential revenue loss of 15 billion rubles ($189 million) annually if vapes are banned outright. To offset the loss, the Health Ministry proposed raising the excise tax on traditional cigarettes.
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