Russia’s latest Tobacco Policy (Updated)

Russian State Duma submits bill to increase penalties for tobacco violations

To fill the regulatory gap and reduce the illegal trade, the Russian State Duma has submitted a new bill proposing stricter fines for the illegal circulation of cigarettes and tar-containing commodities.

According to the Парламентская газета on October 29, the Russian State Duma recently submitted a new bill proposing new fines for manufacturers and sellers of cigarettes and tar products. One of the founders of the proposal is Артем Кирьянов. Deputy Chairman of the Economic Policy Committee (” EKV “). The bill aims to fill and control the gaps in non-licensing violations.

These violations include other requirements mentioned in the national regulatory laws governing the manufacture and circulation of tobacco and tar products, including lack of registration documents for technical equipment, failure to submit information on relevant product identification marks as required, and related to commodity circulation, storage, raw materials, and supply. According to the proposal, individual business owners will face fines of 20,000-30,000 rubles ($205-307), legal entities will face fines of between 100,000 and 150,000 rubles ($1,025-1,538), and goods, equipment, raw materials, and semi-finished products will be taken away.

The Chairman stressed that an important basic law has been passed previously that details all stages of the industry of cigarettes and commodities containing tobacco tar, including production and raw material handling. He pointed out that there is a need for more detailed regulations on non-license violations and the introduction of moderate administrative penalties. He mentioned that although legal means, including the Criminal Code, are already in place, there are still some violations that need to be stopped by administrative means. Kiryanov revealed that the state budget loses about 100 billion rubles ($1 billion) every year due to the illegal cigarette trade. He noted that the purpose of the bill is to make up for the current ones through these measures.

A Russian state proposes to increase penalties for smoking in schools

A Russian state assembly has submitted a bill to the Duma proposing to increase penalties for smoking in schools and kindergartens from the current 500-1,500 rubles ($5-15) to 2,000-3,000 rubles ($20-31).

According to Runews 24 on October 29, the Assembly of the Russian region of Bashkortostan submitted a bill to the Duma proposing to increase the liability of penalties for smoking in schools and kindergartens.

Earlier, the Russian government agreed to the proposal. The bill proposes that the amount of fines will rise from the current 500-1,500 rubles ($5-15) to 2,000-3,000 rubles ($20-31).

Konstantin thor, thor, state council chairman (Константин Толкачев) seems а discusses some related problems е kind guide), points out that the severity of underage smoking causes the health of the young generation anxiety. According to statistics, about 60% of Russian high school students smoke. Meanwhile, according to the survey of adult smokers, more than half of them were first exposed to smoking at school.

The state Assembly also stressed that earlier, the use of vapes had been considered as smoking behavior, thus limiting their application in public places. In addition, schools need to take stricter measures.