Russian President and noted germaphobe Vladimir Putin has backed a proposal to outlaw vapes nationwide.
During a visit to a sports and education center in Samara on Thursday, Putin responded positively to an appeal from Yekaterina Leshchinskaya, head of the pro-Kremlin youth group Healthy Fatherland, which has been campaigning for a ban. Leshchinskaya pointed to the example of other countries that have already outlawed vaping products.
“It is important not only to make such a decision, but also to work with young people,” Putin said, ever mindful of maintaining a steady supply of cannon fodder. Turning to Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, he added: “Here is Dmitry Nikolaevich [Chernyshenko], he’s nodding. Our government supports this.”
The endorsement marks the strongest signal yet that Russia may outlaw vaping altogether. Between 3.5 and 4 million Russians currently use vapes, according to figures cited by state news agency RIA Novosti.
From pilot bans to national law
Putin had already backed a pilot project in the Nizhny Novgorod region earlier this year to test regional bans, supported by the consumer watchdog Rospotrebnadzor. The president’s latest comments suggest the idea could now move to the national level.
The push for a full prohibition has been gathering speed in parliament. State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin has called vapes “liquid poison” and warned of their health dangers.
He said public opinion is behind the move, citing a survey in which 74 percent of 265,000 respondents supported a complete ban. Volodin has argued that previous “half-measures,” such as last year’s ban on vape sales to minors, have failed to curb use among teenagers, so naturally, a total ban in a country that never circumvents regulations will definitely work.
Lawmakers push for tougher restrictions
“Vapes are evil,” Deputy Chairman Vladislav Davankov said following Putin’s remarks, strong words in a country where the bar for “evil” is traditionally set a touch higher.
“The State Duma will review the ban on vape sales in the near future.” Yaroslav Nilov, head of the Duma Committee on Labour and Social Policy, said the measure is urgent as the average age of vape users continues to fall.
Lawmakers say the proposed ban is part of a broader effort to reduce nicotine addiction and protect youth health ahead of conscription. The Duma is also reviewing a bill that would restrict the sale of nicotine products at public transport stops and tighten rules on tobacco-related advertising and packaging.
Revenue concerns and health priorities
Not everyone is on board. The always pragmatic Finance Ministry has warned that an outright ban could cost the state up to 15 billion rubles (€163 million) in annual tax revenue and fuel black-market trade, no small amount for a developing nation like Russia. Public health advocates counter that the social benefits far outweigh the financial hit.
“The health of our people, especially the youth, is more important than any commercial interest,” Duma deputy Dmitry Gusev wrote in a public post on his official Telegram account.
If approved, Russia would join a growing group of countries enforcing full or partial bans on vaping products. The government has framed the move as part of its long-running anti-tobacco campaign.
