Top Takeaways:

• Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Anton Alikhanov, has publicly advocated for a nationwide ban on e-cigarettes, citing concerns over youth health and ineffective age restrictions.
• The State Duma is considering legislation to prohibit the production, import, and sale of all e-cigarette products, with support from various government bodies, including the Ministry of Health.
• Industry groups and public health experts warn that a complete ban may lead to a surge in black-market sales and a potential increase in traditional cigarette consumption.

Russia is advancing toward a comprehensive ban on e-cigarettes. On June 2, during the Russian Retail Week forum, Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov called for a total prohibition on vaping products.

“My personal position is that bans and restrictions, of course, cannot regulate everything in the world, but vapes are probably an exception for me personally. I am personally in favor of a total ban,” Alikhanov stated, emphasizing concerns about the products’ appeal to minors and the ineffectiveness of current age restrictions.

This stance aligns with the Russian Ministry of Health’s earlier recommendations. In January 2025, the ministry advocated for a ban on e-cigarettes, highlighting their potential health threats to adolescents and children. The ministry emphasized the urgency of protecting the younger generation from nicotine addiction and associated health risks.

Legislative efforts are underway to formalize the ban. The State Duma is reviewing a series of bills aimed at prohibiting the production, import, and sale of all e-cigarette products, including nicotine and non-nicotine variants. The proposals have garnered support from various parliamentary factions and government agencies.

State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin noted the unanimous backing for the draft law, stating, “It is very good that all factions support this decision. We need to engage in dialogue with the government to move forward with this legislative initiative.”

However, the proposed ban has sparked debate among industry stakeholders and public health experts. The Union of Enterprises of the Nicotine-Containing Products Industry (SPINI) cautioned that a complete ban could drive the market underground, leading to unregulated sales and increased health risks.

“The complete ban on the production and circulation of nicotine-containing products […] will provoke the growth of the black market. As a result, the risks to the life and health of consumers will increase,” SPINI stated in a letter to Russian authorities.