Last updated: May 17, 2022

Sales Restrictions

Sale of single cigarettes/sticks

Banned
Gavel
Expand to view related litigation
Analysis

The law prohibits the sale of single cigarettes.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 16 in that the law prohibits the sale of single cigarettes.

Sale of tobacco products via vending machines

Banned
Gavel
Expand to view related litigation
Analysis

The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products by vending machine.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13, the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, and FCTC Art. 16 (sales to minors) with respect to vending machines.

Sale of tobacco products via the internet

Banned
Gavel
Expand to view related litigation
Analysis

The law prohibits remote sales and distance trading of tobacco products. These prohibitions are interpreted as banning tobacco product internet sales.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to internet tobacco product sales. For greater clarity, however, the law should clearly state that internet sales of tobacco products are prohibited.

Sale of smokeless tobacco products

Some Restrictions
Gavel
Expand to view related litigation
Analysis

Law No. 15-FZ specifically prohibits the wholesale and retail sale of "naswar," a type of smokeless tobacco. The law does not specifically prohibit other types of smokeless tobacco products; therefore, the regulatory status code "Some Restrictions" is given.

Sale of waterpipe tobacco products

Allowed
Analysis

The law does not specifically prohibit the sale of waterpipe tobacco; therefore, the law is interpreted as permitting the sale of waterpipe tobacco.

Location-based Sales Restrictions

Schools/educational facilities

Banned
Gavel
Expand to view related litigation
Analysis

The law permits retail sale of tobacco products only in stores and pavilions. In addition, the law specifically prohibits the retail sale of tobacco products on the territory and in the premises of education facilities and within 100 meters of education facilities.

Playgrounds

Banned
Gavel
Expand to view related litigation
Analysis

The law permits retail sale of tobacco products only in stores and pavilions. This effectively prohibits the sale of tobacco by kiosks and carts, which is the means by which one would sell tobacco on playgrounds.

Note: there is an exception which allows the sale of tobacco products outside of stores and pavilions in towns where stores and pavilions do not exist. In these towns, it is possible to sell tobacco by kiosk or cart which may enable sales on playgrounds.

Stadiums/arenas

Banned
Gavel
Expand to view related litigation
Analysis

The law permits retail sale of tobacco products only in stores and pavilions. In addition, the law specifically prohibits the retail sale of tobacco products on the territory and in the premises of places intended for the provision of "services in the field of athletics and sports." Therefore, tobacco sales in sports facilities are banned.

Healthcare facilities

Banned
Gavel
Expand to view related litigation
Analysis

The law permits retail sale of tobacco products only in stores and pavilions. In addition, the law specifically prohibits the retail sale of tobacco products on the territory and in the premises of placed intended for the provision of "medical, rehabilitation and spa services." Therefore, tobacco sales in healthcare facilities are banned.

Cultural facilities

Banned
Gavel
Expand to view related litigation
Analysis

The law permits retail sale of tobacco products only in stores and pavilions. In addition, the law specifically prohibits the retail sale of tobacco products in cultural institutions. While the law does not specifically prohibit the sale of tobacco products in entertainment facilities, the provision permitting sales in stores and pavilions only effectively prohibits sales in entertainment facilities. Therefore, the regulatory status code "Banned" is given.

Territories and premises intended for the provision of services by youth organizations

Banned
Gavel
Expand to view related litigation
Analysis

The law permits retail sale of tobacco products only in stores and pavilions. In addition, the law specifically prohibits the retail sale of tobacco products on the territory and in the premises of places intended for the provision of services by youth organizations.

Urban and commuter transport

Banned
Gavel
Expand to view related litigation
Analysis

The law permits retail sale of tobacco products only in stores and pavilions. In addition, the law specifically prohibits the retail sale of tobacco products on urban and commuter transport.

Premises occupied by state agencies and agencies of local self-government

Banned
Gavel
Expand to view related litigation
Analysis

The law permits retail sale of tobacco products only in stores and pavilions. In addition, the law specifically prohibits the retail sale of tobacco products on premises occupied by state agencies and agencies of local self-government.

Territories and premises (with the exception of duty-free stores) of train stations, bus stations, airports, seaports, river ports, and subway stations designated for providing passenger transportation services

Banned
Gavel
Expand to view related litigation
Analysis

The law permits retail sale of tobacco products only in stores and pavilions. In addition, the law specifically prohibits the retail sale of tobacco products on the territories and in the premises (with the exception of duty-free stores) of train stations, bus stations, airports, seaports, river ports, and subway stations designated for providing passenger transportation services.

Premises designated for providing housing services, hotel services, services for temporary accommodation and/or provision of temporary accommodation

Banned
Gavel
Expand to view related litigation
Analysis

The law permits retail sale of tobacco products only in stores and pavilions. In addition, the law specifically prohibits the retail sale of tobacco products in premises designated for providing housing services, hotel services, services for temporary accommodation and/or provision of temporary accommodation.

Retail Package Size Restrictions

Minimum number of cigarette sticks per unit package

No
Gavel
Expand to view related litigation
Analysis

The law does not require a minimum number of cigarettes per unit package. To the contrary, the law requires that a unit package of cigarettes contain a maximum of 20 cigarettes.

To align with FCTC Art. 16, the law should prohibit the sale of small packets of cigarettes which increase the affordability to minors.

Minimum weight of smokeless tobacco per unit package

No
Analysis

The law does not require a minimum weight of smokeless tobacco per unit package.

Retail Licensing Requirements

Specific retail license or equivalent approval required to sell tobacco products

No
Analysis

The law does not require a specific retail license or equivalent approval to sell tobacco products.

To align with FCTC Art. 15, the law should require retailers to obtain a license or equivalent approval to sell tobacco products.