The Nizhny Novgorod Legislative Assembly’s regional lawmakers have prepared a resolution proposing amendments to the federal law. That would grant Russian regions the authority to ban the vape of vaping products locally. The draft, developed by the assembly’s economic committee, was published this week.
Key Highlights
- Draft resolution seeks federal amendments to authorize regional vape bans.
- Governor Gleb Nikitin’s proposal, supported by President Putin, aims to strengthen local authority in tobacco control.
- Nizhny Novgorod would pilot vape sales restrictions from March 2026 to December 2030.
- The experiment covers ENDS, heated tobacco, nicotine, and non-nicotine liquids, and tobacco-free heating blends.
- The pilot could inform future nationwide regulatory reforms on vape and nicotine products.
Russian Nizhny Novgorod Deputies Propose Regional Power to Ban Vape Sales
October 24, 2025 — According to the Nizhny Novgorod Legislative Assembly, regional deputies have prepared a draft resolution proposing amendments to the federal law that would empower Russian regions to ban or restrict the vape of vaping products within their territories.
The initiative stems from Governor Gleb Nikitin. He suggested to President Vladimir Putin that regions be given such authority to strengthen tobacco and nicotine control. Putin expressed his approval of the proposal.
In late August, the Legislative Assembly of Nizhny Novgorod unanimously voted to appeal to State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin for regional powers to limit the vape trade.
Under the draft, a pilot program would run from March 1, 2026, to December 31, 2030, allowing the region to regulate electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), heated tobacco devices, nicotine and non-nicotine liquids, and tobacco-free heating mixtures.
Officials say the program is designed to test the effectiveness of regional control measures in reducing nicotine use and youth vaping, potentially serving as a model for nationwide legislation.
