The Ministry of Industry and Trade announced an increase in the number of legal points of sale of tobacco by 5%

The number of legal tobacco retail outlets in Russia increased by 5% to 246,000 in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ekaterina Priezzheva said at the Innoprom. Central Asia”, transmits TASS.

“The level of illegal circulation of labeled goods, as a rule, decreases annually, we also see a significant fiscal effect. For example, the number of legal points of retail sales of tobacco products in Q1 2023 compared to Q1 2022 increased by 5% from 234 to 246 thousand. In Q1 2023, the number of legal tobacco manufacturers increased by 16% compared to the same period in 2022 years,” she said.

According to her, product labeling is now an effective tool to combat illegal trafficking.

April 13 State Duma accepted immediately in the second and third readings the law on increasing fines for introducing minors to smoking tobacco and vapes, as well as for selling such products to them.

According to the amendments, now the fine for attracting a minor to smoke nicotine-containing products, hookahs, etc. will increase for citizens from 1000-2000 rubles. up to 2000-5000 rubles. Parents for the same violation will have to pay a fine in the amount of 5,000 to 7,000 rubles. Now the amount of the fine for them is from 2000 to 3000 rubles.

In addition, fines for the sale of cigarettes and vapes to minors will increase several times. Now for citizens it ranges from 20,000 to 40,000 rubles. According to the adopted law, the maximum amount of the fine will increase to 60,000 rubles. Officials for violation will have to pay from 150,000 to 300,000 rubles. Now the fine for them is up to 70,000 rubles. Legal entities will be punished with a fine of up to 600,000 rubles. Now it is from 150,000 to 300,000 rubles.

April 11 State Duma accepted a law banning the sale of vapes to children, including those without nicotine. The release and circulation of nicotine-containing products with flavorings and additives, open display and demonstration of such devices in stores is also prohibited. In addition, the initiative involves limiting advertising with images, descriptions of vapes, as well as its demonstration to children under 12 years old.