A chatbot to combat vaping has been launched in the Nizhny Novgorod region.

      On April 14, 2026, at 16:01, Society The Nizhny Novgorod Ministry of Education launched the "ANTIVEIP" chatbot in the MAX messenger. The new digital service is designed to receive feedback from residents and has become part of a comprehensive effort to reduce the spread of vapes, primarily among young people.

      With the help of the chatbot, parents of schoolchildren and students, as well as other residents of the region, can report cases of retail sales of vapes near educational institutions. According to Article 19 of the federal law on protecting citizens' health from tobacco smoke and nicotine-containing products, such trade is prohibited within 100 meters of educational organizations.

      Deputy Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Andrey Checherin noted that inspections of retail outlets are already being conducted by regulatory and law enforcement agencies. At the same time, he said, authorities regularly receive complaints about the opening of vape shops near schools and universities.

      "With the help of the 'ANTIVEIP' chatbot, Nizhny Novgorod residents can report any suspicious point of sale for vapes and request an inspection," the official emphasized, adding that appeals will be considered jointly by the regional Ministry of Education, the prosecutor's office, and Rospotrebnadzor.

      The service also allows users to report instances of underage smoking. Users are asked to specify the time and place of the possible offense. This information will be sent to the management of educational institutions and used solely for preventive work. The ministry assured that all data will remain confidential.

      The regional Minister of Education Mikhail Puchkov emphasized that preventing harmful habits among minors is a shared task for all participants in the educational process. He expressed confidence that parents would support the initiative and help protect children more effectively from threats related to vapes and tobacco products.

      Earlier, a vape sales point located less than 100 meters from a school was closed in Bogorodsk. The store ceased operations after Rospotrebnadzor's appeal to the court and the enforcement of the court's decision by bailiffs.

      The issue of restricting the sale of vapes is also being discussed at the federal level. Nizhny Novgorod Region Governor Gleb Nikitin raised this topic during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Sarov in August last year. The President supported the initiative, calling it timely and important for protecting the health of young people. In March, the proposal to ban vapes in Russia was also supported by the State Commission for Counteracting the Illegal Circulation of Industrial Products.

      Regional parliament speaker Evgeny Lyulin stated that the region is ready to promptly adopt its own legislative measures following the federal decision. He emphasized the importance of residents' participation: "The launch of the chatbot is an opportunity for every concerned resident to become our ally in this fight."

      The fight against the spread of harmful habits, including smoking and alcohol consumption, is being conducted as part of the national project "Sustained and Active Life." Preventive work with children is also included in the tasks of the national project "Youth and Children."

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