Top Takeaways:

• Russian lawmakers have submitted amendments seeking a total ban on e-cigarettes and vape liquids.
• The proposal has political momentum, backed by multiple Duma committee chairs and past statements from President Vladimir Putin.
• The draft would introduce stricter penalties and allow regional or experimental bans while national debate continues.

A group of senior Russian State Duma lawmakers has officially submitted amendments calling for a complete ban on the sale, distribution, and circulation of e-cigarettes, vaping devices, and related e-liquids, according to reports from RIA Novosti. The proposal has now been sent to several inter-factional working groups for review—an important step that indicates increasing legislative support for a national ban.

The initiative was introduced by five influential deputies: Yaroslav Nilov, chair of the Committee on Labor and Social Policy; Dmitry Gusev, first deputy chair of the Oversight Committee; Yana Lantratova, chair of the Committee on Civil and Religious Affairs; Nina Ostanina, chair of the Committee on Family and Motherhood Protection; and Dmitry Svishchev, first deputy chair of the Committee on Sports.

The amendments suggest a comprehensive ban on all electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), flavored or unflavored liquids, and related accessories. They also advocate for stricter criminal and administrative penalties for illegal sales and for any adults who enable youth use.

The draft has been referred to three cross-party working groups led by Anna Kuznetsova, Pyotr Tolstoy, and Sholban Kara-ool, which are tasked with evaluating the proposal through the lenses of traditional values, “Christian legislation,” and public health protection.

Gusev stated that supporters are seeking broad support in parliament, framing the issue as “a matter of children’s safety and national health.” Lantratova argued that e-cigarettes have been “falsely marketed as a safe alternative” and claimed that a complete ban is the only effective solution.

The political foundation for a ban has been forming for over a year. President Vladimir Putin has previously voiced support for banning vapes nationwide, while the Finance Ministry and Cabinet have also suggested regulatory options. Deputy Finance Minister Alexei Sazanov recently said the government has prepared amendments that would allow regional vape bans, and Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko mentioned that some regions could experiment with such bans.

The new Duma proposal goes further, positioning Russia to become one of the few major markets considering an outright, country-wide ban on vaping products — a development that would significantly reshape the nicotine landscape for manufacturers, importers, and retailers operating in the region.