Experts commented on the new rules for licensing tobacco trade

The introduction of new rules for licensing trade in tobacco and nicotine-containing products in Russia will require a uniform approach to issuing permits, experts say.

Dmitry Zhuravlev, Scientific Director of the Institute of Regional Problems, noted that the introduction of licensing would be a major change in the working conditions of the industry. "Therefore, the authorities in the regions, which are now responsible for issuing licenses for the sale of tobacco and nicotine—containing products, should act carefully," Zhuravlev said.

According to Nadezhda Kapustina, Doctor of Economics, Professor of the Department of Logistics at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, interregional cooperation is of particular importance. According to her, unified licensing approaches will help maintain the connectivity of the domestic market and allow businesses to predict product shipments.

"Given the powers delegated to the regions to license the retail trade of tobacco and nicotine—containing products, it is important to maintain an open dialogue with all interested parties," she said.

In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on the introduction of licensing of retail and wholesale trade in tobacco and nicotine-containing products. The law will be introduced in stages, starting from October 1, 2026. The goal is to strengthen industry control, make the market more transparent, and reduce counterfeit volumes. According to the new rules, a ban is imposed on the sale of tobacco "from the trunk" and on the sale of products by persons who do not have a stationary retail facility. Those players who are registered in the Honest Sign system and have not previously committed violations related to the trafficking of illegal products will be able to obtain a license. A retail license (for a period of up to five years) will be issued by the executive authorities of the subjects for each outlet, the state duty will amount to 20 thousand rubles per year of validity of the permit. Violators face criminal liability, including imprisonment for up to three years.