Russia's Duma To Consider A Bill On Raising Fines For Selling Cigarettes To Minors On December 17

Russia's Duma to consider a bill on raising fines for selling cigarettes to minors on December 17

The Russian State Duma will review a draft bill on December 17 proposing a substantial increase in fines for selling cigarettes to minors. Individual fines may increase to $2,900, officials to $6,800, and legal persons to $20,000. The draft also proposes to increase fines for wholesale or retail snuff, nicotine-containing foods, and chewing tobacco.

According to a report by TASS on November 29, the Russian State Duma may hold its first review of a draft bill on December 17 proposing a substantial increase in fines for selling cigarettes to minors.

The document published in the Duma electronic database states: "It is recommended that the State Duma Committee include the bill in the draft procedure for the State Duma for the first reading on December 17, 2024."

According to the draft, the sale of tobacco products to children will be fined 200,000 to 300,000 rubles ($2,000-2,900) for citizens, 500,000 to 700,000 rubles ($4,800-6,800) for officials, and 1.5 million to 2 million rubles ($14,000-20,000) for legal entities. Currently, the fine for such violations is 40,000 to 60,000 rubles ($380-580) for citizens, 150,000 to 300,000 rubles ($1,500-2,900) for officials, and 400,000 to 600,000 rubles ($3,900-5,800) for legal entities. (For details, please read: Russia plans to significantly increase fines for selling cigarettes to minors, with legal entities being fined up to $20,000)

In addition, the draft also proposes to increase fines for wholesale or retail snus, nicotine-containing foods and chewing tobacco. Fines for citizens range from 150,000 to 200,000 rubles ($1,400-1,900), for officials from 300,000 to 500,000 rubles ($2,800-4,700), and for legal entities from 1 million to 1.5 million rubles ($9,300-14,000).