Russian: From March 2026, Vape And Cigarette Sales Need License

The Russian government approved a bill submitted to the State Duma. Its implement a licensing system for the sale of cigarettes and vapes, covering wholesale, retail, and delivery sales, starting from March 1, 2026. If sold to minors in violation of regulations, the license may be revoked, and illegal large-scale transactions will face criminal penalties.

Key details:
Implementation time and scope: The Russian government has approved a bill submitted to the State Duma. The bill requires a license to wholesale, retail, and delivery sales of cigarettes and vapes from March 1, 2026. ​
Regulatory measures: Illegal sale of cigarettes may result in revocation of trade documents, and large-scale illegal trade may be subject to criminal penalties. ​
Institutional reference: The requirements for tobacco sales licenses are formulated based on the alcohol sales license model. ​
Progress and potential new provisions of the bill: It has been approved by the Government Legislative Activities Committee and submitted to the State Duma for second reading or mandatory requirements such as the lease term of retail space and registration of the “Honesty Label” system. ​

Dank Smoke September 28, 2025 – According to Vedomoti’s report on September 24, the Russian government has approved a bill submitted to the State Duma, which requires a licensing system for the sale of cigarettes and vapes from March 1, 2026. Detailed about honest label: What is Russian Honesty Label

Дмитрия Григоренко, Director of the Government Office, stated that such regulations will help increase market transparency and reduce youth consumption of such products. He pointed out that the licensing requirements for tobacco sales are similar to those for alcohol sales.
According to the government news agency, wholesale, retail, and delivery sales all require a license. However, if the seller violates regulations, such as minors purchasing cigarettes from them, their necessary trade documents may be revoked. The government has proposed imposing criminal penalties on large-scale illegal trade.

Previously, the government legislative activity committee had approved the submission of the bill to the State Duma. A representative from Grigoryenko’s office subsequently pointed out that during the second reading of the bill in the State Duma, it may include a provision that permits can be obtained if the lease term of retail space is less than 12 months (lease agreements must be registered with the state). In addition, registering in the “Honesty Label” system and complying with the prohibitions and restrictions stipulated by health protection laws may also become mandatory.