Nearly Half of Russians Support a Total Ban on Vaping

According to a survey by BestDoctor, 55% of Russians support banning the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors, while nearly half of the respondents (46%) favor a total ban on electronic cigarettes. The survey indicates that Russians are concerned about the health issues of minors: 34% of respondents believe this law would help protect children from the harmful effects of electronic cigarettes. Meanwhile, 5% of respondents think it would reduce the number of deaths caused by electronic cigarette smoking.

Dr. Snejina Genn, a medical doctor at BestDoctor, commented: "Contrary to popular belief, electronic cigarettes are not harmless. Recently, doctors have even identified a specific disease—vaping-associated lung injury (VALI), which has symptoms and manifestations similar to pneumonia and occurs after vaping. Electronic cigarettes are particularly dangerous for children and teenagers: they are more 'appealing' and attractive than regular cigarettes. Coupled with their 'safe' image, this increases the motivation to try them. For instance, according to the Russian Ministry of Health, as of early 2023, the number of teenagers using electronic cigarettes has increased tenfold compared to 2011, when electronic cigarettes first began to be sold in Russia. Therefore, from a medical perspective, the initiative to restrict the sale of electronic cigarettes is entirely reasonable."

The survey also revealed that 34% of respondents support this move because such restrictions would force electronic cigarette vendors to be responsible for the health of children and teenagers. Respondents noted that the current advertising would decrease, which would have a lesser impact on the growing generation: children and teenagers would no longer see electronic cigarettes on store shelves or in advertisements (28%) and from popular bloggers, movies, and TV shows (4%).

Interestingly, the city with the highest support for this initiative is Rostov-on-Don, where 67% of residents support a total ban on electronic cigarettes in Russia. Other leading cities include: Omsk (64%) and Kazan (63%). Notably, one in every two residents of Moscow and nearly one in every two residents of St. Petersburg support a total ban on electronic cigarettes. In Ufa and Cherkessk, the opposition to a total ban on electronic cigarettes is the highest, with each at 30%. In Krasnoyarsk, the opposition stands at 28%, while in Tyumen and Nizhny Novgorod, it is 26%. Residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg are more conservative: 14% and 23% oppose this move.

Natalia Krasnyakova, the medical business director at BestDoctor, pointed out: "According to the World Health Organization, 32 countries have completely banned the sale of nicotine delivery electronic devices. Additionally, 79 countries have implemented various restrictions. For example, smoking has been banned in public places, and advertising and promotional activities have been limited. The reason is their negative impact on human health. Insurance companies worldwide are also concerned about this issue: as early as 2019, reinsurance companies suggested that insurers raise premiums for electronic cigarette and pipe smokers due to the higher health risks associated with these insured groups. The survey results indicate that Russians are equally concerned: a quarter of Russians (25%) believe that insurance coverage should be denied to electronic cigarette users because of their higher health risks."