The Russian government has supported a bill on the introduction of fines of up to 500 thousand rubles for the sale of energy drinks to minors. At the same time, lawmakers should clarify several points, according to the recall of the Cabinet of Ministers, available to TASS.
The bill of State Duma deputy Nina Ostanina (KPRF) provides for fines for the sale of energy drinks to children in the amount of 30 thousand - 50 thousand rubles for individuals, 100 thousand - 200 thousand rubles for officials and 300 thousand - 500 thousand rubles for legal entities. The law banning the sale of such products to minors was adopted in the Russian Federation in August and will enter into force on March 1, 2025, but no fines were prescribed in it.
"The government of the Russian Federation supports the bill, provided it is finalized," the Cabinet of Ministers said in a response.
Amendments to the Administrative Code
According to the bill, fines will be introduced by a new subparagraph in the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (Code of Administrative Offenses), they will be punished by "retail sale of non-alcoholic tonic (including energy) drinks to a minor, if this action does not contain a criminally punishable act." As noted in the government, the concept of this bill, aimed at protecting the health of minors, deserves attention.
As for the improvements, the Cabinet of Ministers proposed to synchronize the date of entry into force of this bill with the start date of the law introducing the ban on the sale of energy products to minors, that is, from March 1, 2025. It is also necessary to determine in the draft law who will be authorized to bring to administrative responsibility violators of the relevant ban.
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