This type of product is banned from sale in Russia, sellers should check their products quickly!

As early as July 31 last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law banning the sale of e-cigarettes, hookahs and other products containing nicotine to minors and prohibiting people from using these products in public places.

Before the amendment came into effect, the restrictions only targeted tobacco products. The law stipulates that tobacco products such as cigarettes can only be sold in offline stores, kiosks and other retail facilities. After the amendment came into effect, the scope of restrictions was expanded again, and hookahs and nicotine-containing products were also prohibited from being sold through online channels and platforms. According to the amendment, nicotine-containing products include e-cigarettes, heated cigarettes, e-cigarette liquids, etc.

Some manufacturers have made preparations before the amendment comes into effect. It is reported that consumers of IQOS heated tobacco have received notices from manufacturers and retailers that from January 27, consumers will not be able to purchase IQOS heated tobacco products through online channels and platforms.

Ilona Mirtova , legal director for Russia and Central Asia at Imperial Tobacco , said the company would stop online sales of its Myblu e-cigarette liquid in accordance with Russian legal requirements.

Sergey Slipchenko, vice president of a Russian IQOS heated tobacco manufacturer, said: "From now on, although cigarettes and tobacco products can only be purchased through physical stores, people can still buy devices for consuming nicotine-containing products through online channels." In other words, although online platforms can no longer sell cigarettes and nicotine-containing products, they can still sell some accessories.

After searching for keywords such as e-cigarettes, hookahs, and e-liquids on Wildberries, Joom, Yandex.Market, and M.Video, the editor found that these Russian e-commerce platforms no longer sell these products, but accessories such as e-cigarette charging boxes, storage boxes, and hookahs are still on sale.

Mirtova pointed out that the ban on online sales may lead to a short-term decline in sales of cigarettes and tobacco products, but in the long run, the amendment will not have a significant impact on the sales of such products.

Russia