Overview
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin considers a full ban on vape sales worthy of attention but insists the idea be vetted by experts and parliament.
- An inter-factional working group led by Vice Speaker Sholban Kara-ool will convene soon with representatives of the Interior Ministry, Health Ministry, Rospotrebnadzor and civic groups.
- Participants plan to produce a legislative roadmap and proposals for a single bill that would enact a full ban and set penalties for circulation.
- Deputies Dmitry Gusev and Elena Drapeko earlier urged Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev to back criminal liability for manufacture, storage, distribution and consumption of vapes and related liquids.
- The Interior Ministry signaled readiness to cooperate and expand restrictions, while officials frame the initiative as protecting younger generations from nicotine addiction; no law has been passed yet.