The State Duma continues to fight the sale of vapes in Russia

The State Duma adopted in the first reading a bill banning the sale of tobacco and nicotine-containing products at public transport stops, the initiative is aimed at reducing the availability of such products to young people and reducing the risk of secondhand smoke. At the same time, parliamentarians and regulators continue to work on measures to completely ban the sale of vapes and tighten responsibility for their turnover. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

What is known about the new ban

The State Duma at the plenary session adopted in the first reading a bill prohibiting the sale of tobacco and nicotine-containing products at public transport stops. The initiative, introduced by the legislative Duma of the Khabarovsk Territory, was supported by the relevant Committee on Health Protection and the Government of the Russian Federation. The authors of the document note that trading in pavilions at bus stops, often located near educational institutions, contributes to the accessibility of such products for young people.

According to lawmakers, the sale of these products at bus stops also increases the risk of secondhand smoke, which is especially dangerous for children, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases. Currently, Russia has already banned the sale of tobacco products and devices for its consumption on transport itself, train stations, airports and metro stations. The new bill expands these restrictions.

What further measures are being discussed

The State Duma is actively discussing the possibility of introducing a complete ban on the sale of vapes in Russia. The head of the State Duma Committee on Health Protection, Sergei Leonov, clarified that the ban would apply specifically to the sale, and not to the use or storage of devices by citizens. He noted that there are no plans to impose any fines for the storage or use of vapes for Russians.

At the same time, deputies from the Fair Russia — For Truth faction have prepared a package of bills establishing administrative responsibility for the sale of vapes. According to their initiative, the fine for individuals can range from 20 to 50 thousand rubles. In addition, in October, the State Duma received an appeal to criminalize the trafficking of vapes by analogy with narcotic substances.

How the responsibility for sales has become tougher

Recently, fines for the sale of tobacco and nicotine-containing products to minors have already been significantly tightened in Russia. At the end of January, the Federation Council approved a law according to which the amount of a fine for selling vapes, hookahs or tobacco to children for legal entities can reach 2 million rubles. Criminal liability is now provided for repeated violation of such a sale.

In addition, Rospotrebnadzor revealed violations in the sale of energy drinks and electronic cigarettes under the same brand. The agency believes that this practice, when one brand promotes both nicotine-containing products and tonic drinks, violates the law and may be a form of hidden advertising involving young people. According to the inspection, an order was sent to the company to withdraw such products from circulation.

What are the dangers of vaping for health and the environment?

Experts warn of serious medical and environmental risks associated with the use of vapes. Kirill Masliev, Candidate of Medical Sciences, said that when liquids are heated, an aerosol containing toxic substances, including formaldehyde and ketene, is formed. According to him, these fumes are especially dangerous for pets, whose respiratory system is much more sensitive than humans.

The Russian environmental operator reported that vapes are almost impossible to recycle due to their complex design and lack of a single standard. Batteries from such devices decompose for hundreds of years, releasing toxic substances and polluting soil and water. Pulmonologist Vyacheslav Ovechkin added that smokers, including vapers, are primarily at risk of developing incurable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Narcologist Ruslan Isaev noted that nicotine in vapes disrupts the normal development of the brain in adolescents, which can lead to mental illness and problems with the cardiovascular system in the future.

At the same time, a survey conducted by the Institute for Demographic Development in Nizhny Novgorod showed that vaping among teenagers has become demonstrative — 78% of minors admitted that their parents know about their habit.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.