Will “sweeteners” be shut out of Russia?

Starting in September this year, Russia will ban flavored e-vapor products, which has raised significant concerns in the industry.

However, the list of banned flavoring additives has not yet been released, but it has been reported today that Russia plans to ban the sale of flavored additives for e-vapor products, with the bill to be submitted to the government cabinet soon.

According to a report from the Russian news agency TASS, a government decree draft to prohibit the sale of flavoring additives for e-vapor devices will soon be submitted for review by the Russian cabinet. The bill aims to ban all artificial, natural flavors, and food additives (stimulants, sweeteners, colorants). It seems that “sweeteners” will be excluded from Russia? Sweeteners are one of the biggest attractions of e-vapor products, and a ban could potentially harm the market. For example, in Indonesia and some regions of Europe, the general products tend to be sweeter, making sweeteners crucial.

Artem Metelev, chairman of the Youth Committee of the State Duma of Russia, revealed that “the project to ban flavoring additives in e-vapor products has been discussed in a meeting of the working group of the Russian Ministry of Health, and the project will be submitted for review by the Russian government soon.” He also stated that flavoring additives that manipulate consumer choices should be excluded, such as gum and candy flavors that easily entice young people.

Overall, from the current market perspective, flavors are generally of concern in Eastern European countries, and some countries have already banned flavors, such as Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ukraine, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Lithuania. Moreover, this regulation may not be limited to e-vapor products but could also include HNB and other novel tobacco products. For instance, Latvia may also ban flavors in the near future.

As one of the countries with the most significant adjustments to e-vapor measures this year, Russia's process of standardization is already underway, from honest labeling to banning online sales, prohibiting sales at trade shows, exhibitions, and vending machines, as well as banning public display and showcasing at points of sale, to requirements for permits and tax labels, and the upcoming flavor ban, the market is moving towards a more regulated process, which is worth noting.

It is also evident that Eastern European countries are gradually entering a more mature regulatory development stage for e-vapor.