The Russian State Duma has passed a comprehensive legislative package that fundamentally reshapes the country's nicotine market. Under the new laws, regional authorities will gain the power to completely ban vape sales, while the federal government implements a strict licensing regime and criminalizes unlicensed retail trade to curb the black market.
Starting March 1, 2027, Russian regions can enact temporary bans on the retail sale of vapes, electronic nicotine delivery systems, and e-liquids. This experimental measure will run until March 1, 2032, allowing the government to evaluate the effectiveness of localized restrictions. Regions implementing bans must notify the federal regulator, Rosalkogoltabakkontrol.
To bring transparency to the market and protect minors, the new laws mandate licenses for the production, storage, distribution, and retail sale of tobacco and nicotine products. Rosalkogoltabakkontrol will oversee wholesale licenses, while regional authorities will manage retail permits, which are valid for up to five years.
Additionally, starting March 1, 2028, retail outlets must meet a minimum size requirement of five square meters. Local authorities will also define restricted sales zones around educational institutions after public consultations.
To deter illicit trade, the legislation introduces severe criminal penalties for unlicensed retail sales, categorized by the scale of the violation:
| Violation Scale (RUB) | Fines (RUB) | Maximum Prison/Labor Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Large Scale (Over 100,000) | 500,000 to 1,000,000 | Up to 3 years |
| Extremely Large Scale / Organized Group (Over 1,000,000) | 3,000,000 to 4,000,000 | Up to 5 years |
The transition to this strict regulatory framework will occur in phases. While the core licensing law takes effect on October 1, 2026, unlicensed trading officially becomes illegal on March 1, 2027. Full product traceability will go live on September 1, 2027, via the "Chestny Znak" digital tracking system.
