Putin signed into law a new law that penalizes the sale of tobacco products and e-cigarettes to minors with fines of up to 2 million rubles.
According to Russian media reports, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new law that increases penalties for the sale of tobacco, e-cigarettes, and hookahs to minors. According to the law, violations can be fined up to 2 million rubles (about $20,000). The legal document has been published on the official Russian Legal Act portal.
The law amends Article 14.53 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation. The sale of tobacco and nicotine-containing products, including vaping, hookah,s, and their related ingredients, to minors is now subject to heavy fines.
Under the new law, the fines for selling tobacco products, vapes, hookahs, and other nicotine-containing products to minors are as follows:
According to the current exchange rate, 1 Russian ruble is equal to about 0.010075 US dollars.
Therefore, the amount of the penalty is converted into US dollars as follows:
- For individuals: 200,000 to 300,000 rubles (about $2,015 to $3,022)
- For employees: 500,000 to 700,000 rubles (approximately 5,037 to 7,052 USD)
- For legal entities: 1.5 million to 2 million rubles (approximately 15,112 to 20,149 USD)
In addition, fines for violations of retail rules are set out separately:
- For individuals: 10,000 to 20,000 rubles (about $101 to $201)
- For employees: 30,000 to 50,000 rubles (about 302 to 504 US dollars)
- For legal entities: 90,000 to 120,000 rubles (approx. 906 to 1,209 USD)
The Chinese translation is for reference only and the original English references shall prevail.
