Violations in the operation of vape shops were identified in Nizhny Novgorod.

      23 December 2025 18:03 Society

      In Nizhny Novgorod, a public monitoring of retail outlets selling nicotine-containing and nicotine-free vaping systems was conducted. The inspection was organized by the ANO "Institute for Demographic Development" and the "Healthy Homeland" movement. The monitoring took place as part of the "Anti-Vape" project.

      During the inspection, a number of violations related to the rules for selling such products were recorded: some outlets lacked a consumer corner and a set of permits authorizing the individual entrepreneur's operation; there were products without labeling; goods were displayed openly on shelves. Inspectors also noted the presence of price tags on devices and an illuminated street sign reading "Vape."

      In addition, one of the outlets was located in the immediate vicinity of a building of a Nizhny Novgorod university. According to the organizers, such proximity makes it easier for students to purchase nicotine-containing products, increasing the risk of addiction and harm to young people's health.

      Following the monitoring, the inspection group drew up reports. Representatives of each outlet were notified to remedy the identified violations. A repeat public inspection is planned to be carried out after the New Year holidays.

      The event was part of the region's systematic work to restrict the circulation of vapes, carried out at the initiative of the Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region, Gleb Nikitin.

      Evgeny Zhuravlev, director of the Institute for Demographic Development, noted that a complete ban on vapes is only possible through a federal decision, so currently available measures are being used: oversight, documenting violations, and ordering unscrupulous entrepreneurs to correct the discrepancies. He added that, "step by step," vapes will be removed from the sight of children and adolescents.

      Zhuravlev emphasized that vapes are a "time bomb" for young people, so the fight against them cannot be delayed.

      He also said that the monitoring is intended to send a signal to businesses and society: the previous practices are unacceptable. According to him, points of sale are often opened near schools and other educational institutions; counterfeit products are found there, and profits are effectively made "on the lives and health" of those who are not yet fully mature. Since teenagers cannot fully assess the health consequences, it is important to help them overcome addiction by all possible means, Zhuravlev concluded.

      Recall that the idea of a complete ban on vapes in Russia was supported by President Vladimir Putin. An experiment to ban vapes may soon be carried out in the Nizhny Novgorod Region.

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