Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that establishes rules for the production and circulation of non-smoking tobacco products in Russia, including prohibiting the use of flavorings and some other substances in them. The relevant document is posted on the portal of the official publication of legal acts.
The document brings the law "Technical Regulations for tobacco products" in line with the similar technical regulations of the Customs Union. At the same time, requirements are established for ingredients that are used in the production of non-smoking tobacco products, and it is also clarified that the nicotine content in it should not exceed 10 milligrams per product.
The law prohibits the use of substances aimed at increasing its attractiveness (food flavors) as ingredients for non-smoking tobacco products; dyes and additives that enhance tobacco (nicotine) dependence; as well as agaricic acid, bitter almond oil (containing free or bound prussic acid), birch and juniper tar oils, camphor and camphor oil, coumarin, safflower, thujone. The list of dyes and additives that enhance tobacco (nicotine) dependence will be approved by the Government of the Russian Federation.
In addition, consumer packaging and/or leaflet of non-smoking tobacco products should contain information about systemic poisons, carcinogenic and mutagenic substances. Moreover, this information should be applied to consumer packaging in a contrasting color.
At the same time, it is forbidden to put statements on the packaging and liner that non-smoking tobacco is less harmful than other tobacco products. Information should not mislead consumers about the properties and signs of non-smoking tobacco products, as well as their manufacturers.
Warnings about the dangers of consuming such products, occupying at least half of their area, should be applied to each side of the package or liner. Manufactured and imported non-smoking tobacco products will have to meet the established requirements, and their manufacturers and importers or a controlling organization will have to submit a report to the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation no later than March 31, containing information about its composition.
The law also clarifies the composition of evidentiary materials and the range of applicants when declaring compliance of non-smoking tobacco products with the requirements. The assessment of compliance with mandatory requirements will be carried out within the framework of the federal State Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision and state control in the field of consumer protection.
The law comes into force on March 1, 2025, with the exception of certain provisions for which a different deadline is set.
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