Recently, foreign media reported that Russiaās State Duma (lower house of parliament) is considering pushing for a bill to completely ban the sale of e-cigarettes. Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma, stated that if the government formally proposes such legislation, parliament will prioritize its review.
Policy Background and Developments
In 2024, Russia already passed a law banning the sale of e-cigarettes and e-liquids to minors, but regulatory measures were deemed insufficient. In January 2025, a group of lawmakers jointly proposed a complete ban on the circulation of e-cigarettes, including prohibiting the production, sale, and possession of nicotine raw materials, nicotine/non-nicotine e-liquids, and related devices. This initiative later received support from the Russian Ministry of Health.
Anton Alikhanov, Russiaās Minister of Industry and Trade, recently expressed public support for a full ban. In early June, he further emphasized that while blanket bans on products are generally not ideal, e-cigarettes should be an exception, urging the government to submit a bill as soon as possible.
Forum Discussion: What Do You Think?
If Russia fully bans e-cigarette sales, it could have far-reaching effects on global markets, cross-border trade, and consumers.
- Supporters may argue that this move helps protect youth health and curb the circulation of illegal products.
- Opponents might worry about a rise in black-market activity or the removal of adult usersā choices.
What are your thoughts on Russiaās proposed ban?
- Is a complete ban an āoverreachā or a necessary measure?
- Could similar policies spread to other countries?
Feel free to share your views!
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Iām fully in favor of reasonable restrictions,but dont support a complete ban.While I understand the need of regulation,I believe adults should have the freedom to make choices.
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I fully get that there should be restrictions on certain products for example what the uk have done with the single use disposables at this was environmentally damaging, however these products do help people give up smoking so why restrict people wanting to better their health???
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It could be seen a complete ban on vapes in Russia is due to financial reasons as government makes plenty off tobacco products
I agree to certain restrictions age related tobacco levels and the ban on disposable as mark pointed out for environmental reasons.
I donāt think it will cause a global impact as it is recognised as a healthy alternative to smoking and an aid to help quit smoking.
Although I do see more pressure will be imposed on the vaping industry regarding flavours ect , and the need to educate vapers that using vaping to help quit cigs is not a permanent solution to create one habit to replace it with another, that vapers should slowly reduce nicotine this will be seen to governments that the vaping industry is indeed helping ex smokers rather than creating devices Liquids ect , this is something the tobacco companies didnāt do to help them quit.
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Great point! Thereās definitely a balance to be struck between protecting public health (especially youth) and preserving adult freedoms. Maybe Russia could consider stricter age verification systems, flavor bans (which often target younger users), or higher taxes instead of an outright prohibition.
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You raise an excellent point about the harm reduction potential of e-cigarettes! Many public health experts actually support vaping as a less harmful alternative for adult smokers trying to quit combustibles. The UKās NHS even recommends e-cigs as smoking cessation tools.
Maybe Russia should adopt a more nuanced approach - like banning flavored disposables (which appeal to kids) while preserving access to tobacco-flavored refillable systems for adult smokers. That way they could curb youth use without eliminating a valuable quitting aid.
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The financial angle regarding tobacco revenues is particularly interesting - many have speculated about potential conflicts of interest when governments regulate vaping while still profiting from cigarette sales. Also, the point about gradual nicotine reduction is spot-on. Perhaps the industry could do more to promote āstep-downā programs (like gradually decreasing nicotine levels) to demonstrate its commitment to harm reduction rather than creating dependency.
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A complete ban always gives people the feeling that these politicians just donāt want to use their brains. Necessary and effective regulation is necessary, but they should also take into account peopleās actual needs and specific circumstances.
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It has to be financially motivated when you see they still allow smoking and the sale of cigarettes why not ban them ?
As these pose a major health risk. To kids and adults.
Because they make so much money from them and influenced by these big tobacco companies.
Instead they choose to ban e-cigarettes that pose less health risk cause they donāt make money from them.
It is weird how these Governments can choose what we as adults can use itās our choice itās not like weāre using lethal weapons .
Our government in the Uk wonāt ban them but by next Oct I believe 2026 they plan to impose tax on them just like cigarettes.
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These things always remind me of this comic
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This is so ironic and very consistent with the current situation in Russia. LOL
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Yes, the trend of taxation may be inevitable. After all, they donāt want to lose such a big piece of the pie.
But itās also reassuring they thinking ahead how they can gain from it , itās better that way instead of banning vapes.
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