Russian Lawmaker Calls for Tougher Regulations: Repeat Sales of E-Cigarettes to Minors May Face Heav

 Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, has suggested increasing fines for individuals, officials, and companies that sell tobacco and e-cigarettes to minors, in response to the risky behavior of merchants seeking profit.

According to TASS news agency, Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party (ЛДПР), has proposed imposing heavier fines on individuals, public officials, and legal entities for the repeated sale of cigarettes and e-cigarettes to minors. Slutsky has submitted the relevant bill for consideration by the Russian government.

The document aims to amend the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses (КоАП). Therefore, for such violations, fines for individuals are proposed to be set between 60,000 and 200,000 rubles, for public officials between 300,000 and 400,000 rubles, and for legal entities between 600,000 and 800,000 rubles, with the possibility of suspending their activities for up to 90 days.

According to Slutsky, current laws already impose penalties for selling cigarettes and e-cigarettes to minors, but some vendors are still willing to take risks for more income. In light of this, the Liberal Democratic Party believes that current sanctions are insufficient to address the issue and proposes to strengthen penalties for repeated violations.

Previously, it was reported that the State Duma of Russia had passed a law in its third reading that, starting next year, will increase excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol. This change was initiated by the Russian government.

Prior to this, Russia imposed fines of up to 25,000 rubles for transporting products with unmarked nicotine content above the prescribed standards, with President Vladimir Putin signing the relevant law.