Leshchinskaya noted a 30% increase in vaping diseases in Russia over the year

In Russia, the number of vaping diseases, which are most often affected by young people, has increased by 30%. Against this background, licenses for retail and wholesale trade in tobacco and nicotine-containing products will be issued in the country from October 1. ""This was announced on September 25 by Ekaterina Leshchinskaya, leader of the "Healthy Fatherland" movement, to Izvestia.

"Over the past year, the number of patients with complications after using vapes in Russia has increased by 30%. Teenagers and young people under 35 years of age most often seek medical help. The main diagnoses: the so-called popcorn lung disease and bronchiolitis obliterans. Bronchiolitis can progress unnoticed for years and eventually lead to irreversible respiratory failure," she said.

According to Leshchinskaya, such cases are already being recorded in different regions of the country, and the risk group is primarily young people who begin to soar at school age.

Federal Law No. 186-FZ of June 26, 2026, which introduces mandatory licensing for all participants in the tobacco and nicotine-containing products market, will enter into force on October 1, 2026. The right to obtain licenses arises from October 1, 2026, and from March 1, 2027, activities without a license will be prohibited. The license is valid for up to five years, and the state duty for retailers is 20 thousand rubles for each year.

At the same time, in the period from March 1, 2027 to March 1, 2032, the subjects of the Russian Federation will have the right to ban the retail sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems and liquids for them on their territory.

Licensing, she stressed, is a step forward towards tightening the rules on the turnover of nicotine-containing products, but not a victory over their illegal sale to minors. The license, according to the leader of the "Healthy Fatherland", will not stop either the illegal market or the sale from under the counter, so as long as vapes remain in legal circulation, they are available.

"Our position remains unchanged: a complete ban. The President [of Russia, Vladimir Putin] supported this idea, and the government supports it. The State Duma gave the regions the right to act. Dozens of subjects have already introduced or are preparing to introduce restrictions. Today, the question is not whether to ban it, but how quickly we will do it," Leshchinskaya concluded.

Retail loss: regions have been given the right to ban the sale of vapes

When will they be able to do this and why did the State Duma support such measures?

On June 17, "Healthy Fatherland" proposed a ban on the sale of vapes and other nicotine-containing products to those born after January 1, 2009. According to the initiative, restrictions aimed at preserving the health of adolescents should come into force as early as January 1, 2027.

Some time later, on June 26, Putin allowed the regions to ban the retail sale of vapes. The measures will be in effect until March 1, 2032. The initiative provides for licensing of outlets specializing in nicotine, as well as a new order of their basing, according to which stores cannot be opened at educational institutions.