The discussion around banning vapes has been ongoing among Russian lawmakers for several years. Recently, President Vladimir Putin endorsed the idea of a regional vape ban during a meeting with Nizhny Novgorod Governor Gleb Nikitin, hinting at a broader legislative push.
The State Duma is expected to adopt a bill imposing a complete ban on vapes within the next two months. Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin confirmed that this initiative has the support of the vast majority of deputies. While President Vladimir Putin’s recent backing was for a regional ban, the legislative efforts now aim for a nationwide prohibition.
The concept of banning vapes first emerged in 2023, originally proposed by the Chairman of the State Duma. Although the government initially did not approve the draft, discussions resumed in 2024, making the initiative`s implementation seem increasingly likely. The current strategy involves granting regions the authority to prohibit sales, with Nizhny Novgorod Oblast slated as a pilot region. Sergey Leonov, head of the Duma`s health protection committee, had already declared `war on vapes` in January, citing their prevalent use among teenagers compared to traditional cigarettes, and urged authorities to `protect children from this scourge.`
— Of course, vapes must be banned. I have repeatedly co-authored such legislative initiatives. The question was whether the government would support this initiative. There are enough deputies in the State Duma who want to ban vapes. I am confident that if such a bill is introduced and supported by the government, it will be passed. The timeline can be extremely short, depending on the political climate. Given the President`s support, this is highly realistic. It means the time has come, the situation has matured. It means the arguments we put forward have been heard, including by the President and governors.
— If vapes are banned, what about IQOS and other heated tobacco products?
— This will be discussed during the work on the bill.
— Sergey Leonov
Head of the Duma`s Health Protection Committee
Concerns about vaping, or `vapephobia,` have been growing recently in post-Soviet countries. Kyrgyzstan has already banned both the sale and use of vapes, while Kazakhstan has restricted their circulation. Mikhail Vinogradov, president of the `Petersburg Politics` foundation, commented on why Russia is addressing this issue now:
It`s currently difficult to understand the rational basis for restricting vapes. On one hand, there`s a desire to shift the agenda, to demonstrate how the authorities are combating something unfamiliar to both themselves and the older generation. There are no sound rational grounds supporting this. It seems to be more about a moral endorsement of a regional initiative, which could be rolled back. Yet, it`s been decided that state intervention in this area, another aspect of citizens` daily lives—akin to messaging apps—should yield some political points. On the other hand, we know that information about Putin`s meetings with governors isn`t always released on the same day. The initiative might not have been particularly tied to the immediate agenda, or it could be another opportunity to incentivize the Nizhny Novgorod governor, who is generally well-regarded but hasn`t been the most active in proposing bans.
— Mikhail Vinogradov
President of the `Petersburg Politics` Foundation
According to Businesstat, sales of vapes and electronic cigarettes in Russia surged nearly ninefold between 2020 and 2024, from 28 million to 245 million units. This growth was driven by affordability, especially in the illicit market, an expanding product range, and new retail outlets. Maxim Korolev, chief editor of the industry news agency `Russian Tobacco,` believes that a vape ban will only pave the way for a flourishing black market:
I believe the idea itself is foolish, because we have no borders. Everyone will buy from neighboring regions if they want legal products, and most vape consumers already buy illegally. Whether it`s banned or not, regulations don`t affect illegal markets; that`s a known fact. We`re looking under the streetlight but lost it elsewhere. This is a random choice, no better than Vologda Oblast with its alcohol experiments. Let them experiment; it won`t achieve anything.
— Maxim Korolev
Chief Editor of `Russian Tobacco` Industry News Agency
In March 2023, David Zaridze, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, and oncologist, reported at a State Duma expert council meeting that the crackdown on vapes has inadvertently led to a resurgence in the popularity of traditional cigarettes. This shift, he noted, has contributed to an increase in lung cancer incidence and mortality.
