Criminal liability for the sale of vapes may be introduced in the Nizhny Novgorod region.

      13 November 2025 15:02 Society

      Next week the State Duma plans to consider a bill introducing licensing for wholesale and retail trade in tobacco and nicotine-containing products, State Duma deputy from the Nizhny Novgorod region Yury Stankevich said.

      According to him, violations of the new requirements will entail both administrative and criminal liability.

      Stankevich noted that during the meeting of the Committee on Economic Policy, where the bill was discussed, he raised the issue of implementing the directive given by the President of Russia on August 22 following a meeting with the governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Gleb Nikitin. The directive concerns granting regions the right to impose a complete ban on the retail sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems (vapes) and e-liquids.

      The deputy said a representative of the Finance Ministry, overseeing the Russian government's position on the bill, stated that amendments are planned to be prepared before the second reading to allow implementation of the president's directive. The initiative to transfer powers to the regions is also supported by the State Duma committees on health protection and on youth policy.

      Recall that earlier the governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Gleb Nikitin, proposed banning the sale of vapes in the region. This idea was supported by President Vladimir Putin during a working trip to Sarov. Later the head of state also spoke positively about the possibility of a nationwide ban on vapes.

      It was previously reported that a pilot project to completely ban the sale of vapes is planned in the Nizhny Novgorod region.

      NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has a Telegram channel. Subscribe to stay informed of major events, exclusive materials and breaking news. Copyright © 1999–2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain 18+ materials.