Russia may begin taxing e-cigarettes and hookahs
According to the document, from October 1, Russian authorities may begin a study to examine the effectiveness of tobacco products labeled for heated tobacco devices and smokeless hookah mixtures. Participation in this government experiment will initially
According to the document, starting October 1, Russian authorities may be conducting a study to examine the effectiveness of labels for tobacco products used in heated tobacco devices and non-smoky hookah mixtures. Initially, participation in this government experiment will be on a voluntary basis.<\/div>
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Earlier this year, public representative Sudan Hamzaev called on Health Minister Mikhail Murashko to limit the operation of hookah bars until the end of the year due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to Hamzaev, a temporary ban should be established to reduce the spread of infections in the fall.<\/div>
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E-cigarette Tax
Meanwhile, reports last year indicated that the Ministry of Health was drafting a bill to impose an excise tax on e-cigarettes. Former Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova stated that Russia has been working to reduce local smoking rates and justified the proposed tax by incorrectly pointing out that e-cigarettes encourage people to smoke. She said: "Manufacturers of these products are actually leading (people) into a new malicious activity, and we need to resist this."<\/div>
Meanwhile, reports last year indicated that the Ministry of Health was drafting a bill to impose an excise tax on e-cigarettes. Former Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova stated that Russia has been working to reduce local smoking rates and justified the proposed tax by incorrectly pointing out that e-cigarettes encourage people to smoke. She said: "Manufacturers of these products are actually leading (people) into a new malicious activity, and we need to resist this."<\/div>
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In 2018, Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov announced that Russia was preparing to classify e-cigarette products differently from tobacco products, thus regulating them separately.<\/div>
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The minister noted that the Ministry of Health agreed with this and has been urging smokers to switch to safer alternatives. She also added that restrictions should be set on selling products to minors and using these products in schools.<\/div>
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