Main Policies

Last updated: July 2, 2025

Sale of e-cigarettes

Sale of e-cigarettes

Allowed
Analysis

The sale of e-cigarettes is allowed subject to restrictions, including by location and a minimum sales age.

Main policies

Use in indoor public places, workplaces, and public transport

Some Restrictions
Analysis

There is a comprehensive ban on smoking in indoor workplaces, indoor public places, and public transport.  The only exception to the ban is for designated smoking areas or rooms in sea-going passenger vessels, airports, and common areas of apartment buildings. Due to these limited exception, the regulatory status “Some Restrictions” is given.

Advertising and promotion (excluding point of sale product display)

Banned
Analysis

The law prohibits all forms of e-cigarette advertising and promotion.

Sponsorship

Banned
Analysis

The law prohibits all forms of e-cigarette sponsorship.

Point of sale product display

Banned
Analysis

Product displays at “trade sites” are prohibited. The law permits retailers to display only a black-and-white alphabetical list of tobacco products sold.

Sale of e-cigarettes via the internet

Banned
Analysis

The law prohibits remote retail sales, which includes internet sales. 

Flavors (other than tobacco flavor)

Some Restrictions
Analysis

The law prohibits the use of flavorants and flavoring substances made of:
- Bittersweet nightshade stems (Stipites Dulcamarae)
- Camphorwood (Lignum Camphorae)
- Rhizomes of the common centipede (Rhizoma Polypodii)
- Pennyroyal herb (Herba Pulegii)
- Quassia wood (Lignum Quassiae)
- Soap bark (Cortex Quillaja)
- Tansy herb (Herba Tanaceti)
- Rue herb (Herba Rutae)
- Sassafras leaves, wood, root bark (Stipes, Folium, Cortex Sassafratis)
- Sweet clover (Millilotus officinalis)
- Tonka beans (Semen Toncae)
- Liatris odoratissima
- Woodruff (Asperula odorata).

Specified ingredients/additives

Regulated
Analysis

The law prohibits the use of the following substances in e-cigarettes:
- Agaric acid
- Vitamin E acetate
- Birch tar oil 
- Diacetyl
- Diethylene glycol
- Bitter almond oil (Oleum Amygdalarum amarum) containing free or bound hydrocyanic acid
- Sassafras oil (Oleum Sassafratis)
- Juniper tar oil (Oleum Juniperi empyreumaticum)
- Camphor oil (Oleum camphoratum)
- Camphor
- Coumarin
- Safflower
- Thujone
- Ethylene glycol.

In addition, the law prohibits the use in e-cigarettes of plants containing narcotic substances or psychotropic substances, or their precursors, specifically including cannabidiol.

Health warnings on product packaging

Required
Analysis

The law specifies that packaging and labelling must be in accordance with the legislation on technical regulation. Pursuant to GOST 58109-2018, the following text-only health warning must appear on product packaging: “Nicotine causes addiction.” The law does not specify the size or location of the warning, only that it appear in capital black letters on a white background in a clear, easy-to-read font and be in Russian.

Other product packaging and labeling requirements

Required
Analysis

In addition to the required health warning message, the law requires that product package include other specified information, such as the name of the product, name and address of the manufacturer, nicotine content, volume of liquid, and an indication that the product should be kept out of the reach of children.

The law also prohibits on product packaging images of food, medicines, people, animals, and animated characters. 

In addition, packaging and labelling must not be misleading and specifically must not include information indicating that the product is less harmful or more beneficial  due to the presence or absence of a particular substance in the composition.

Maximum nicotine concentration

Required
Analysis

The law prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes with nicotine levels of higher than 20 mg/ml.

Device requirements

Required
Analysis

Devices must be child resistant and must not have an appearance that clearly imitates food products, consumer beverage containers, or children's toys.

Manufacturer/importer disclosures and/or notification requirements

Not Required
Analysis

The law does not require disclosure or notification for e-cigarettes. Some companies voluntarily choose to certify their products under the Law on Certification of Products and Services.

Location-based sales

Regulated
Analysis

The law permits retail sale of e-cigarettes only in retail facilities, with sales forbidden in educational, health-care, sports and cultural facilities, youth organizations, public transport and public transit terminals, maintenance shops, and hotel premises

Sale of e-cigarettes via vending machines

Banned
Analysis

The law prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes via vending machines.