Russian Duma Panel Backs Bus-Stop Tobacco Sales Ban, Supports Small-Town Exception

Overview

• The State Duma Health Protection Committee recommended the bill for adoption in the second reading on December 10.
• The panel supported an amendment permitting sales at stops only where the kiosk is the locality’s sole seller of tobacco or nicotine products, targeting small settlements.
• RIA Novosti reports the committee approved a change to start the restrictions on September 1, 2026, replacing an earlier March 1 date.
• Existing rules already prohibit sales at railway stations, bus terminals, airports, ports and metro stations, and the bill would extend this to street stops.
• The proposal, introduced by the Legislative Duma of Khabarovsk Krai and passed in a first reading in October, must still clear second and third readings and receive presidential approval.