Russian Source: List of Banned E-Cigarette Additives Will Not Be Released on September 1 as Schedule

According to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to 2firsts.ru, Russia’s list of banned e-cigarette additives, originally scheduled for release on September 1, will be delayed.

【2firsts.ru Moscow News Center】Recent rumors in the Russian market suggested that the list of banned additives for e-cigarettes would not be released on schedule on September 1. 2firsts.ru confirmed this with several informed sources in Russia. According to those sources, the draft bill submitted by the Ministry of Health on the “list of substances banned as e-cigarette additives” has not completed the government approval process. At present, the release date remains uncertain, and the contents of the list may also be adjusted. 

Russian State Duma building. Image source: 2Firsts 

Earlier, on August 22, Russia’s Izvestia reported that the Ministry of Health had prepared a list of banned additives and stated that the contents of the list were planned to take effect on March 1, 2024. According to information previously obtained by 2firsts.ru, the rumored contents of the ban list include:

Food flavorings: fruits and vegetables, botanical flavoring impurities and their derivatives—vanilla, spices, ginger, cinnamon.

Sweeteners: molasses, honey, stevia, maple syrup, agave syrup.

Popular additives such as caffeine, guarana, and taurine.

Menthol and menthol-like substances.

Other uncommon substances, such as pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, and vitamins C and E, amino acids, etc.

Nicotine salts. 

Researchers in Russia’s e-cigarette industry told 2firsts.ru that the additive ban would restrict more than 90% of flavored e-cigarettes currently sold in the Russian market, especially fruit flavors. At the same time, restrictions on nicotine salts would essentially cover nearly all e-cigarette products sold in Russia.

In addition, according to media reports, on August 24, Artem Metelev, chairman of the State Duma Committee on Youth Policy, said on Telegram that the draft resolution on the list of substances banned for use in e-cigarettes (including flavorings and sweeteners, among others) had already been submitted to the government cabinet.