The Russian State Duma today approved the first reading of Bill 913952-8, a law that would ban the sale of tobacco and nicotine-containing products at public transportation stops (bus stops, tram and trolley stops, metro and subway entrances, and stops along suburban routes in cities and surrounding areas).
According to reports from domestic agencies, the bill includes “traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, hookah, and devices used to consume nicotine-containing products.”
Retail channels located near transportation hubs often offer visibility and convenience—factors the proposed law would eliminate in some locations. The bill’s inclusion of “devices used to consume nicotine-containing products” indicates that all nicotine-delivery systems are covered by the ban.
Under the proposed legislation, if approved in later readings and signed into law, the sales ban would take effect on March 1, 2026. The measure reflects Russia’s broader efforts to strengthen smoke-free norms, reduce retail exposure of nicotine products, and expand restrictions into public transportation zones.
Russia already enforces some of the strictest tobacco-control laws among major markets. Federal Law No. 15-FZ (“On Protecting the Health of Citizens from the Effects of Tobacco Smoke…”), along with related laws, bans the sale of tobacco products through vending machines and in certain transportation hubs such as stations, airports, and ports.
Bill 913952-8 would expand the sales prohibition framework further into the retail sector at public transportation stops. A notice published on Aug. 22, 2025, by SNS.ru (citing sources in the Government Commission on Legislative Activity) described the expansion as “a logical continuation of a systematic approach” to reduce impulsive tobacco purchases in transit zones.
For tobacco product manufacturers, distributors, and retail outlet operators, the potential impact could be significant. Many kiosks and small retail units near bus stops or subway entrances currently depend on tobacco and nicotine product sales as a key source of revenue. According to an analysis cited by Vedomosti, “Direct losses of kiosks at bus stops can amount to 15-30% of their turnover.”
Nicotine-product companies and tobacco-control observers note that such sales bans may reduce impulsive purchases on the spot but won’t necessarily decrease the overall market overnight: as one analyst said, “There will be fewer impulsive purchases … heavy smokers will continue to consume tobacco and simply buy elsewhere.”
