WHO FCTC Party Status

Russia became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on September 1, 2008. 

Smoke Free Places

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 rooms or areas in sea-going passenger vessels, airports, and common areas of apartment buildings. Sub-national jurisdictions may enact more stringent laws than the national legislation.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

Most forms of tobacco advertising and promotion are prohibited with extremely limited exceptions such as retailer incentive programs. All forms of tobacco sponsorship is prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

On packaging of smoked tobacco products, rotating picture and text health warnings are required to cover 50 percent of the front and back of packaging. On packaging of smokeless tobacco products, a text-only health warning currently is required to cover 30 percent of the front of packaging.  When new health warnings for smokeless tobacco products come into effect in September 2026, rotating picture and text health warnings are required to cover 50 percent of the top of the front and back of packaging or 50 percent of the top of the front and back of the smokeless tobacco packaging inserts if warnings on packaging are not possible. The insert size cannot be smaller than the package’s largest visible surface. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “low tar” and other signs, is prohibited.

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

The law regulates specified contents of cigarettes, including banning mint, some herbs, and other flavorings. Manufacturers and importers are required to disclose to government authorities information on the contents and emissions of their products.

Sales Restrictions

The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products via vending machine and the internet, in sports facilities, healthcare facilities, cultural facilities, within 100 meters of educational facilities, and other specified locations. The law also prohibits the sale of single cigarettes, small packets of cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco other than chewing tobacco. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

E-Cigarettes

The sale of e-cigarettes is allowed subject to restrictions, including location and a minimum sales age. There is a comprehensive ban on the use of e-cigarettes in indoor workplaces, indoor public places and public transport with the exception of sea-going passenger vessels, airports, and common areas of apartment building, where designated smoking rooms or areas are allowed. The law prohibits most forms of advertising, promotion, and sponsorship with extremely limited exceptions such as retailer incentive programs. A text-only health warning message is required to appear on product packaging or on product inserts or attached to the product if placement on the packaging is not possible, though the size and location on the package are unspecified.

Heated Tobacco Products

The sale of heated tobacco products (HTPs) is allowed subject to restrictions, including location and a minimum sales age. There is a comprehensive ban on the use of HTPs in indoor workplaces, indoor public places, and public transport with the exception of sea-going passenger vessels, airports and common areas of apartment building, where designated smoking rooms or areas are allowed. The law prohibits most forms of advertising and promotion with extremely limited exceptions such as retailer incentive programs, and most forms of sponsorship. There is no requirement for health warnings on tobacco product packaging at this time.  

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

Federal Law No. 15-FZ of February 23, 2013 on Protecting the Health of Citizens from the Effects of Second Hand Tobacco Smoke and the Consequences of Tobacco Consumption is the primary law governing restrictions on smoking in public places and tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. The law repealed the previous omnibus legislation, Federal Law No. 87-FZ of July 10, 2001. Tobacco advertising and promotion are also regulated by Federal Law No. 38-FZ of March 13, 2006 on Advertising. Federal Law No. 15-FZ (as amended) applies to tobacco products, e-cigarettes and HTP.

As part of the Eurasian Economic Union, packaging and labeling of smoked tobacco products must comply with the Technical Regulations for Tobacco Products (TR TC 035/2015) and EEC Council Decision No. 18.  Federal Law No. 268-FZ of December 22, 2008 on Technical Regulations for Smokeless Tobacco Products (as amended by Federal Law No. 325-FZ) addresses many key tobacco control measures related to smokeless tobacco, including definitions of key terms; packaging and labeling of smokeless tobacco; and compliance and enforcement. Ministry of Health Order No. 287n of May 20, 2025 establishes the four pictorial health warnings required to appear on all smokeless tobacco product packaging as of September 2026.

Technical specifications for e-cigarettes are regulated under a national standard - GOST 58109-2018 (as amended).

Several pieces of legislation supplement the smoke free provisions in Law No. 15-FZ. First, the Labor Code, Law No. 197-FZ of December 30, 2001 provides the definition of “workplace,” one of the places where smoking is restricted under Law No. 15-FZ. Second, the Administrative Offenses Code, Law No. 195-FZ of December 30, 2001, identifies as offenses several violations of smoke free policies, establishes punishments for those violations, and designates the officials authorized to hear cases about these administrative offenses. The Code was amended in November 2013 to establish the penalties for violations of Federal Law No. 15-FZ on tobacco control. Third, the Code of Conduct in Correctional Facilities, Ministry of Justice Order No. 205 of November 3, 2005, governs smoking in correctional facilities. Fourth, Resolution No. 200 of March 18, 2014 amends several acts related to the adoption of Federal Law No. 15-FZ on tobacco control. Fifth, Letter No. 01/6906-14-25 on the Application of Provisions of the Federal Law on the Protection of Public Health from the Impact of Second-Hand Tobacco Smoke in Public Dining Establishments provides details about the application of the smoking ban in public dining facilities, specifically in outdoor areas that are considered part of the premises and in mobile public dining establishments. Finally, Ministry of Health Decree No. 214n prescribes the requirements for "No Smoking" signs and establishes the rules for their placement.

Review Status

This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff in consultation with in-country lawyers or tobacco control experts.