Every third teen vapes: St. Petersburg discusses ban on vapes

Discussions have started in the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg on a possible complete ban on the circulation of vapes. The reason is the growing popularity of these devices among young people.

At the federal level, the State Duma has been considering a bill on licensing trade in tobacco and nicotine-containing products since autumn 2025. In amendments to the second reading, parliamentarians proposed a complete ban on the sale of vapes in Russia. The Ministry of Finance took a softer position, suggesting that regions be given the authority to independently establish the degree of restrictions — up to a complete ban.

The idea of a total ban was supported by President Vladimir Putin. As reported by State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, the majority of deputies hold a similar position.

A ban on the sale and use of vapes is already in effect in several countries, including Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. The World Health Organization also calls for such measures, pointing to the danger of flavorings that mask the taste and smell, making the products attractive to children.

In the St. Petersburg parliament, a working group has been created to prepare proposals for legislative changes.

At the group«s first meeting, the head of the regional branch of the »People«s Front» Yekaterina Kondratyeva presented a study. According to the data, in St. Petersburg, 38% of teenagers vape. Among teenagers aged 14–15, 70% have tried these devices at least once, and 20% use them regularly. Back in 2024, 30% of smokers in the city preferred vapes and electronic cigarettes over regular ones.

«The most frightening statistic is that the first experience of vaping has dropped to 10–11 years,» said Kondratyeva.

Despite the ban on sales to minors, teenagers easily circumvent it: they ask adults to buy vapes from stores or purchase them through social networks. Sellers do not always require age verification.

The relevant committees of Smolny — on education, healthcare, and youth policy — have spoken in support of a strict ban.

According to the committee on industrial policy, there are 2,400 points of sale of tobacco products in St. Petersburg, of which about 500 specialize in vapes. This makes up only 2% of all city stores. «The potential closure of such stores will not lead to significant shifts in the consumer structure,» noted Tamara Lomonosova, deputy head of the committee.

Among deputies of the Legislative Assembly, opinions are divided. Deputy Chairman Pavel Itkin stated: «With this scourge, only a total ban is needed!» His colleagues, however, doubted that this would help reduce consumption among minors.

The head of the parliamentary commission on industry, Irina Ivanova, proposed introducing the ban jointly with Leningrad Oblast. «I believe that any ban must first be justified. For some reason, it seems to me that we do not produce these vapes here (in Russia. — Ed.). And then we should simply ban the import of this product here, so that no one is offended,» she noted.

Deputy Natalia Astakhova spoke against a total ban, stating that it «carries evil,» as young people will start acquiring vapes through other means. «It seems to me that the more correct path is tightening sales,» she added.

Alexander Rzhanenkov, head of the commission on social policy, emphasized the need for analysis and statistics to justify further steps. «Within our authority, it is informational work, analysis, and statistics that will allow us to argue and convince about the need to take specific steps on age restrictions and enhanced control,» he said.

Deputy Pavel Krupnik acknowledged that as a father he would ban vapes, but believes that a global ban goes beyond regional authority. He proposed raising the age limit to 22–23 years and strengthening information about the harm of vaping.

Andrei Ryabokon spoke in favor of adopting a federal law on the ban, but noted that this will not solve the problem instantly, and teenagers will buy devices from individuals.

Denis Chetyrbok, head of the budget and finance committee, reported that the second reading of the bill in the State Duma is scheduled for February. Commenting on the idea of a total ban, he recalled the unsuccessful experience of Vologda Oblast, where strict measures did not yield the desired result.