By Timothy s. Donahue

Top Takeaways:

• Belarus is shifting toward a state-regulated import system for nicotine products, with strict licensing and excise-stamp rules likely to transform the legal market.
• Retailers warn that the draft law could shut down much of the legal vape industry and drive consumers toward Telegram-based illegal channels.
• Excise tax increases in 2026 and youth-vaping issues are fueling the reforms, but lawmakers turned down a complete vape ban to prevent boosting the black market.

Belarus is preparing one of the most comprehensive overhauls of its nicotine products market in years, following a year of public consultations and the release of a draft bill that would establish a state monopoly on importing tobacco products and raw materials, while significantly tightening regulations for the local vape industry.

The bill, published on the country’s official legal-acts website, would limit the sale and distribution of vapes and nicotine-containing products to a small number of licensed companies. It would also ban online sales, significantly reduce in-store displays, require excise stamps for all vape-related goods, and ban at-home mixing of e-liquids — effectively stopping consumers from making their own refills and nicotine blends.

Lawmakers say the move aims to curb tax evasion, reduce youth vaping, and cut off illegal supply routes that have come to dominate the Belarusian market.

The explanatory note on the draft indicates that about 77% of disposable e-cigarettes in Belarus are illegal and sold without excise tax, costing the government around BRR 130 million (US$24.1 million) annually. Lawmakers argue that the current situation has created a loophole exploited by criminal groups and opportunistic sellers through informal distribution networks and cross-border gray channels.

Sergei Klishevich, a member of the Belarusian parliament’s Standing Committee on Education, Culture, and Science, said that the tightening of rules reflects voter demands—especially from parents—who want stronger protections amid rising youth use of nicotine products. He noted that e-cigarette use is increasing among school-aged children, with STV reporting that nearly 15% of Belarusian students vape, even as the national smoking rate has fallen nearly fivefold over the past five years.

The draft law has encountered widespread opposition from vape-shop operators, importers, and consumers, many of whom participated in public hearings and cautioned about major disruptions to the legal market. Some argued that limiting imports to a few licensed companies and setting capital and warehousing requirements—including a proposed minimum authorized capital of US$50,000 and a 1,000 m² storage facility for importers—would make legal compliance prohibitively costly for small and medium-sized retailers.

One participant in the public consultation stated that the bill is “entirely aimed at destroying the legal market,” predicting widespread closures, job losses, and decreased tax revenue for the government. Several vape retailers mentioned that the licensing system would force them to obtain import permits even to sell a single bottle of e-liquid, which they consider unfeasible for small shops.

A lawyer involved in the hearings estimated that up to 40% of vape shops could close as a result, warning that remaining consumer demand would shift to Telegram channels, where counterfeit and unregulated products are easily accessible with few safeguards.

Belarus has one of the most active vaping marketplaces on Telegram in the region, reflecting a broader post-Soviet trend where strict retail restrictions drive nicotine users online. Examples from neighboring countries show that similar measures — including bans and high excise taxes — have increased reliance on illegal channels and weakened oversight.

Some public-health groups in Belarus have nonetheless urged lawmakers to go further and implement a complete ban on vapes, citing concerns about youth uptake and addiction. However, legislators ultimately rejected a total prohibition during public discussions held from June 17 to 27, 2025.

Belarusian MP Elena Khilya said a ban could repeat past policy failures, drawing parallels to periods of alcohol restrictions that fueled illegal alcohol production and increased poisoning cases. Khilya pointed out that lawmakers aim for “balanced regulation” that addresses public health risks without provoking uncontrolled black-market growth.

Alongside the draft bill, Belarus is preparing another round of tax hikes on nicotine products, set to take effect on January 1, 2026. Finance Minister Yuri Seliverstov stated that excise rates on filtered cigarettes would increase by 7% to 12%, depending on the price category, with a 3% increase for tobacco intended for heating.

For vapes and nicotine liquids, the government plans a 20% increase in excise taxes to bring their rates closer to those of regular cigarettes. The announcement was issued by the state tobacco and food industry group Belgospisheprom, which has supported aligning tax structures to reduce incentives for consumers to switch categories.

The debate over the bill highlights increasing political attention on nicotine products in Belarus. During a government meeting on November 5, President Alexander Lukashenko instructed officials to review the situation in the tobacco and alcohol markets, suggesting possible future reforms once the new regulatory framework is established. Lawmakers emphasize that the new licensing system will limit illegal sales by excluding fly-by-night operators from the supply chain.

Critics say enforcement will be very difficult in a market that relies heavily on digital channels outside government control. As the legislative process continues, both supporters and opponents agree that the bill will reshape Belarus’ nicotine-products market — but they are still divided on whether this will lead to a safer, more regulated industry or a larger underground market.