In the Russian Federation, e-cigarettes are legally permitted but face certain regulatory measures. According to these regulations, there are no requirements for product notifications or for child-resistant packaging, although health warnings on packaging are mandatory. Flavour restrictions are in place, and nicotine content is set at 20 mg/mL. However, there are no legal prohibitions on public use of e-cigarettes. Buying e-cigarettes online or through vending machines is not permitted, and there is a complete ban on advertising.
In 2025, an estimated 4.2 million people in Russia were current vapers and the adult current e-cigarette vaping prevalence was reported to be 3.6% in 2022. The adult daily vaping prevalence was higher among men (4.6%) compared to women (2.9%). Earlier data from 2016 indicated that 14.2% of adults had tried vaping at least once.
Prevalence
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 4.2 million | 1A A |
| 2022 | 4.2 million | 1B B |
| 2024 | 5.1 million | 1C |
- 1. Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 2016. Available at:https://nccd.cdc.gov/GTSSDataSurveyResources/Ancillary/DataReports.aspx?CAID=1 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- 1. WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-rus.pdf?sfvrsn=338f40c2_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 August 2025. 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- 1. Selective monitoring of the health of the population survey (Rosstat) 2024 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- A household survey undertaken in 2016.A multi-stage, geographically clustered sample design was used to produce nationally representative data. There were a total of 11,458 completed individual interviews. World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- Adults survey: осстат. Состояние здоровья населения Selective monitoring of the health of the population survey (Rosstat), 2022; National, ages 15+ World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3.5% | 2A A |
| 2022 | 3.6% | 2B B |
| 2024 | 4.4% | 2C |
- Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 2016. Available at:https://nccd.cdc.gov/GTSSDataSurveyResources/Ancillary/DataReports.aspx?CAID=1
- WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-rus.pdf?sfvrsn=338f40c2_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 August 2025.
- Selective monitoring of the health of the population survey (Rosstat) 2024 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
- A household survey undertaken in 2016.A multi-stage, geographically clustered sample design was used to produce nationally representative data. There were a total of 11,458 completed individual interviews.
- Adults survey: осстат. Состояние здоровья населения Selective monitoring of the health of the population survey (Rosstat), 2022; National, ages 15+
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2.9% | 2A A |
| 2024 | 3.8% | 2B |
- WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-rus.pdf?sfvrsn=338f40c2_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 August 2025.
- Selective monitoring of the health of the population survey (Rosstat) 2024 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
- Adults survey: осстат. Состояние здоровья населения Selective monitoring of the health of the population survey (Rosstat), 2022; National, ages 15+
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 4.6% | 2A A |
| 2024 | 5.2% | 2B |
- WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-rus.pdf?sfvrsn=338f40c2_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 August 2025.
- Selective monitoring of the health of the population survey (Rosstat) 2024 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
- Adults survey: осстат. Состояние здоровья населения Selective monitoring of the health of the population survey (Rosstat), 2022; National, ages 15+
- 1. Selective monitoring of the health of the population survey (Rosstat) 2024 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- Selective monitoring of the health of the population survey (Rosstat) 2024 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
- Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 2016. Available at:https://nccd.cdc.gov/GTSSDataSurveyResources/Ancillary/DataReports.aspx?CAID=1
- A household survey undertaken in 2016.A multi-stage, geographically clustered sample design was used to produce nationally representative data. There were a total of 11,458 completed individual interviews.
Product promotion
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Russia. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/russia/e-cigarettes?row=1219200. Accessed: 24 July 2025.
Regulation
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 or earlier | Allowed | 1A |
| 2021 | Allowed | 1B A |
| 2025 | Allowed | 1C |
- Data cross-referenced where possible using the following sources :1. Vapetrotter website. Available at: https://www.vapetrotter.com/laws/ ; 2. Global tobacco control website. Available at:https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/node/14052 ; 3. Tobacco Control Laws website. Available at : https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/
- Amendments to the Federal Law of the Russian Federation “On Protecting the Health of Citizens from the Effects of Second-hand Tobacco Smoke and the Consequences of Tobacco Consumption” 2020 http://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_142515/f8c54e95eb72faf923b32bbf85e540d607b3eb1f/
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Russia. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/russia/e-cigarettes?row=1219200. Accessed: 24 July 2025.
- The sale of e-cigarettes is allowed subject to restrictions including location-based sales restrictions, restrictions on vending machine sales, and a minimum sales age.
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Russia. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/russia/e-cigarettes?row=1219200. Accessed: 24 July 2025.
Availability
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Russia. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/russia/e-cigarettes?row=1219200. Accessed: 24 July 2025.
Regulations and restrictions
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | NO | A |
| 2025 | NO | 1A |
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Russia. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/russia/e-cigarettes?row=1219200. Accessed: 24 July 2025.
- There is a comprehensive ban on the use of e-cigarettes in indoor workplaces and indoor public places. The law prohibits the use of e-cigarettes on all public transportation, with the exception of long-distance passenger ships where the use of e-cigarettes is permitted in designated areas (in open air or in isolated rooms). The law prohibits all forms of advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. http://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_142515/f8c54e95eb72faf923b32bbf85e540d607b3eb1f/
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Russia. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/russia/e-cigarettes?row=1219200. Accessed: 24 July 2025.
Publications
Prevalence of Current Smoking Cigarettes and Current Vaping
- Burning Issues: The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2020
Overall, as a percentage of the total adult population, current use of vaping devices in different countries ranges between 1% and 7%. As shown by this graphic there are eight countries where the prevalence of vaping is 3% or more including the UK, United Arab Emirates (UAE), US, France, Iceland, Belgium, the Russian Federation and Malaysia. The average prevalence of current vaping product use is 1.6 % of the adult population in the EU, as found in the EU Eurobarometer survey. A further 13% “used to use them, but no longer do so” or “have tried them once or twice”. 85.6% “have never tried or used them”. Levels of sometime vaping experience range up to 27% of the adult population in Greece, and 20% or above in Estonia, Czech Republic, France, Cyprus, Latvia and Austria. Clearly, there are many smokers who are interested in these products. But there is also a large gap between those who have shown enough interest to have tried vaping at some time, and those who have gone on to currently vape.
See also p.50 of the report: Burning Issues: The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2020
The European Union (EU) Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) 2016 Changes to the EU TPD
- No Fire, No Smoke: The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction
The TPD is a Directive of the EU which means that all EU countries must ‘transpose’ or incorporate the TPD requirements into their national laws. The only flexibility permitted is the ability to enact additional regulations. The current Directive entered into force on 19th May 2014 and became applicable in the EU Member States on 20th May 2016.
In 2014 a revised Tobacco Products Directive known as TPD 2 was issued by the EU to update the 2001 Tobacco Products Directive. TPD2 regulates all tobacco products in the European Union and its scope is wide. It covers product regulation in terms of reporting obligations of ingredients and emissions for all tobacco products. It includes product packaging and labelling including the size and appearance of products, traceability features to be fixed onto packaging as well as health warnings. It covers cross-border advertising of tobacco products; it reinforces the ban on oral tobacco products (snus), but importantly it provides for the placing on the market of e-cigarettes and refill containers, as well as making provision for notification of novel tobacco products. It also provides for herbal cigarettes.
See also p. 96 of the report: No Fire, No Smoke: The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2018 — Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (gsthr.org)