Russia introduces criminal liability for repeated sale of vape devices to children

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that criminalizes the repeated sale of alcohol, tobacco and nicotine-containing products to minors. The document is posted on December 28 on the website of official publication of legal acts.

The law provides for a fine of 50 thousand to 80 thousand rubles, or correctional labor for up to one year with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions for up to three years.

It is noted that the responsibility applies to those persons who have previously been brought to administrative punishment for the sale of these products to minors.

Road to smoke: for repeated sale of vapes to children will be punished with correctional labor

And for the first case of selling nicotine-containing products they plan to increase fines

Earlier, on December 17, the State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted in the second and third readings of the bill, providing criminal liability for repeated sale of tobacco products to minors. On December 19, it was approved by the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building.

In April, the Russian government announced its readiness to support such a bill, because practice shows that the current measures to regulate the sale of vape products are ineffective. At the same time, the country is implementing a policy to combat tobacco use and the initiative is in line with this vector.