The Russian government is actively discussing tobacco trade reform. By March 3, the Cabinet instructed to compare two models of whitewashing the market — licensing or the introduction of a register of permits. Both models involve tougher liability for the sale of counterfeit goods, but instead of fines, sellers will be forced to leave the market.
A meeting on tightening control over tobacco, vapes and cigarettes was held last week under the leadership of the head of the government staff, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko, Kommersant reported.
Recall that mandatory labeling of products has been introduced in the industry, and according to the state information system for labeling goods (GIS MT), more than 300 thousand companies participate in it. The Cabinet's statement to the meeting noted that fines for the sale of unmarked products do not cover the profits from their sale and do not stimulate legal trade.
From March 1, 2024, the production, export and import of tobacco products are already subject to licensing, but this does not apply to trade.
Sergey Ryabukhin, First Deputy head of the Federation Council Committee on Budget and Financial Markets, believes that any measures aimed at whitewashing the market are correct. In a conversation with our newspaper, the parliamentarian noted that there are about 40 million smokers in the country. And the sale of counterfeit cigarettes causes not only damage to the budget, but also enormous damage to those who buy them.
"A whole range of measures is needed here, and the Federation Council is also working on them. Effective administrative and criminal measures are needed. And also the extrajudicial blocking of websites where fake tobacco and cigarettes are sold," says Sergey Ryabukhin, first deputy head of the Federation Council Committee on Budget and Financial Markets.
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