Russia’s e-cigarette additive blacklist fails to gain support from four government departments

The Deputy Director of the Russian Ministry of Health has called for a comprehensive review of e-cigarette additives to reduce their appeal to youth; four major departments in Russia have rejected the Ministry of Health's proposed blacklist of substances banned for use in nicotine products.

According to news from TASS on November 9, the Russian business and news outlet RBK reported that the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Federal Service for Alcohol Market Regulation do not support the blacklist of banned additives for nicotine products set to take effect on March 1, 2024, which was drafted by the Russian Ministry of Health. 

Victor Zykov, Deputy Director of the Central Health Organization and Informatics Research Institute of the Russian Ministry of Health, stated that the blacklist of banned e-cigarette additives must be exhaustive to eliminate factors that attract youth to e-cigarettes. 

Zykov emphasized that prioritizing the health interests of citizens is crucial, rather than industry interests. 

Zykov pointed out that smokers using e-cigarettes are affected by ultrafine particles and other toxins, significantly increasing their risk of cardiovascular diseases and chronic lung diseases.