By Timothy S. Donahue
Top Takeaways:
- Policy proposal: A Russian lawmaker wants to prohibit tobacco sales to anyone born after 2017, creating a permanent tobacco-free generation.
- Global trend: The proposal mirrors similar generational smoking bans pursued or considered in countries such as the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
- Industry impact: If adopted, the measure would gradually reduce Russia’s future tobacco consumer base without imposing an immediate ban on smoking.
A Russian lawmaker has proposed banning the sale of tobacco products to anyone born after 2017, adding Russia to a growing list of countries considering “tobacco-free generation” policies to phase out smoking over time.
State Duma Deputy Sultan Khamzaev has submitted a proposal to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, asking the government to study the initiative and determine whether it should move forward, according to the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.
Khamzaev said the initiative aims to protect future generations from tobacco addiction and to establish a new direction for Russia’s anti-tobacco policy.
If adopted, the measure would be among the most significant long-term tobacco control proposals under consideration in Russia. While it would have little immediate impact on tobacco sales, manufacturers would face a steadily shrinking pool of legal consumers as younger generations permanently age out of the market.
The proposal reflects a broader international movement toward generational tobacco restrictions. Similar policies have been pursued or debated in countries including the United Kingdom, and New Zealand previously adopted and later repealed a comparable measure before it took effect.
The Russian government has not indicated whether it supports the proposal, and Mishustin has been asked to direct the relevant ministries to assess its feasibility before any legislation is introduced.
