The State Duma in the first reading approved the bill on the norms for the transport of tobacco and vapes

The State Duma in the first reading approved the bill, which proposes to establish the norms for the transportation of unlabeled heated tobacco and vapes by citizens. This is evidenced by the data of the legislative activity support system.

The document proposes to amend Art. 18 of the law “On protecting the health of citizens from the effects of second hand tobacco smoke, the consequences of tobacco consumption or the consumption of nicotine-containing products.” The deputies proposed to add paragraph 3.1 there, which imposes restrictions on the movement of nicotine-containing products through the territory of Russia that are not labeled according to Russian legislation.

Thus, it is allowed to carry no more than 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco or all tobacco products, the weight of which does not exceed 250 grams, per person. The permitted number of products with heated tobacco (vapes) is no more than 200, nicotine-containing products (with the exception of products with heated tobacco) – with a total volume of nicotine-containing liquid not more than 50 ml per person.

The explanatory note to the bill states that the proposal to establish a ban is due to the fact that the number of illegal tobacco products has increased in Russia. “According to expert estimates, the illegal market for nicotine-containing liquids and disposable electronic nicotine delivery devices (electronic cigarettes) is growing annually by an average of 20% and, as of mid-2022, accounts for about 90% of the total market for these products in Russia,” the report says. document. As the deputies noted, the prerequisites for the growth of the illegal market are created by an increase in excise taxes on nicotine-containing products in Russia and an independent excise policy of the EAEU countries, from which cheaper products come to the country due to the lack of customs borders.