Russia

Russia became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on September 1, 2008. 

Smoke Free Places

There is a comprehensive ban on smoking in indoor workplaces, indoor public places, and public transport.  The only exception to the ban is for long-distance passenger ships. Sub-national jurisdictions may enact more stringent laws than the national legislation.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

All forms of domestic and cross-border tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship are prohibited, with extremely limited exceptions. The law restricts, but does not prohibit, promotional features that may appear on tobacco product packaging.  All forms of financial or other tobacco sponsorship are prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

On packaging of smoked tobacco products, rotating picture and text health warnings are required to cover 50 percent of the front and back of packaging. On packaging of smokeless tobacco products, a text-only health warning is required to cover 30 percent of the front of packing. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “low tar” and other signs, is prohibited.

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

The law regulates specified contents of cigarettes, including banning mint, some herbs, and other flavorings. Manufacturers and importers are required to disclose to government authorities information on the contents and emissions of their products.

Sales Restrictions

The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products via vending machine and the internet, in sports facilities, healthcare facilities, cultural facilities, within 100 meters of educational facilities, and other specified locations. The law also prohibits the sale of single cigarettes, small packets of cigarettes, and answer (a type of smokeless tobacco). The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

E-Cigarettes

The sale of e-cigarettes is allowed subject to restrictions including location-based sales restrictions, restrictions on vending machine sales, and a minimum sales age. There is a comprehensive ban on the use of e-cigarettes in indoor workplaces and indoor public places. The law prohibits the use of e-cigarettes on all public transportation, with the exception of long-distance passenger ships where the use of e-cigarettes is permitted in designated areas (in open air or in isolated rooms). The law prohibits all forms of advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. The Tobacco Act specifies that packaging and labelling must be in accordance with the legislation on technical regulation, which has not yet been adopted.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

Federal Law No. 15-FZ of February 23, 2013 on Protecting the Health of Citizens from the Effects of Second Hand Tobacco Smoke and the Consequences of Tobacco Consumption is the primary law governing restrictions on smoking in public places and tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. The law repealed the previous omnibus legislation, Federal Law No. 87-FZ of July 10, 2001. Tobacco advertising and promotion are also regulated by Federal Law No. 38-FZ of March 13, 2006 on Advertising.

Federal Law No. 268-FZ of December 22, 2008 on Technical Regulations for Tobacco Products addresses many key tobacco control measures, including definitions of key terms; packaging and labeling of tobacco products; and compliance and enforcement. As part of the Eurasian Economic Union, packaging and labeling of smoked tobacco products must comply with the Technical Regulations for Tobacco Products (TR TC 035/2015) and EEC Council Decision No. 18. The health warning requirements contained in Federal Law No. 268-FZ remain in place for smokeless tobacco products.

Several pieces of legislation supplement the smoke free provisions in Law No. 15-FZ. First, the Labour Code, Law No. 197-FZ of December 30, 2001 provides the definition of “workplace,” one of the places where smoking is restricted under Law No. 15-FZ. Second, the Administrative Offences Code, Law No. 195-FZ of December 30, 2001, identifies as offenses several violations of smoke free policies, establishes punishments for those violations, and designates the officials authorized to hear cases about these administrative offenses. The Code was amended in November 2013 to establish the penalties for violations of Federal Law No. 15-FZ on tobacco control. Third, the Code of Conduct in Correctional Facilities, Ministry of Justice Order No. 205 of November 3, 2005, governs smoking in correctional facilities. Fourth, Resolution No. 200 of March 18, 2014 amends several acts related to the adoption of Federal Law No. 15-FZ on tobacco control. Fifth, Letter No. 01/6906-14-25 on the Application of Provisions of the Federal Law on the Protection of Public Health from the Impact of Second-Hand Tobacco Smoke in Public Dining Establishments provides details about the application of the smoking ban in public dining facilities, specifically in outdoor areas that are considered part of the premises and in mobile public dining establishments. Finally, Ministry of Health Decree No. 214n prescribes the requirements for "No Smoking" signs and establishes the rules for their placement.

Federal Law No. 303 "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation on the Protection of Citizens' Health from the Consequences of Consuming Nicotine-Containing Products," amended Law No. 15-FZ by extending tobacco restrictions to e-cigarettes. The law regulates both nicotine-containing and nicotine-free e-liquids. The sale of e-cigarettes is allowed subject to restrictions including location-based sales restrictions, restrictions on vending machine sales, and a minimum sales age. The Tobacco Act specifies that packaging and labelling must be in accordance with the legislation on technical regulation, which has not yet been adopted.

Review Status

This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff in consultation with in-country lawyers or tobacco control experts.