The State Duma held a scheduled meeting of the Expert Council on the Development of competition in the markets of nicotine-containing products, issues of state regulation of relations in the production and turnover of tobacco and innovative nicotine-containing products and devices intended for nicotine consumption in ways other than tobacco smoking.
The meeting, chaired by Sergey Katasonov, brought together deputies, representatives of the FEA, the industry, the profile institute of tobacco, and consumer communities. The Nicotine Alliance was represented by its chairman Andrey Loskutov.
One of the key issues of the discussion was excise taxes on disposable ENDS (Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems), in which both the device itself and the liquid are subject to excise duty. Manufacturers of reusable electronics believe that this is normal, and companies selling disposable vaporizers – double taxation. It was decided to hold consultations with the Ministry of Finance and legislators to find the right solution. The task is fair taxation without prejudice to the collection of excise taxes.
The next item on the agenda is the promotion of a key bill on state regulation of the tobacco industry. Georgy Golovanov, one of its developers, said that a final meeting was expected, at which it was planned to resolve the remaining differences.
Another pressing issue is some provisions of the tobacco Technical Regulations. At the moment, it allows the production of chewing tobacco, but the initiative of the Ministry of Health to ban food additives makes such production impossible. In relation to the nicotine contained in the products, an adjustment is also required – not 10 mg per product, but a certain volume percentage. The Academic scientific research institute of tobacco, makhorka and tobacco products fully agree with this position.
It is necessary to prevent an actual ban – nothing unreasonable – on the whole direction. On behalf of the Council, Sergey Katasonov will meet with the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture to discuss amendments to the upcoming Technical Regulations.
The next issue discussed is the use of navigation seals in the EAEU, in particular when transporting tobacco products within the framework of mutual trade. Such seals will significantly reduce the volume of contraband, complicating the schemes of interrupted transit. A number of EAEU member states have already ratified the relevant agreement – it is necessary to accelerate this process in Russia. Especially considering that there is an implementation stage ahead, which will also take time.
The topic of armor was also touched upon in connection with the announced partial mobilization. It is important to keep people on critically important positions, otherwise serious damage can be done to the budget-forming industry. It is also worth considering that during periods of crisis, tobacco consumption by the population increases – therefore, the deficit will lead to an increase in social tension.
Other issues were also discussed at the Council: limiting the movement of electronic cigarettes by individuals, possible redistribution of income from excise taxes in favor of the regions, a model law "On protecting the health of citizens from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke."
At the end of the meeting, the co-chairman of the Expert Council, Sergey Katasonov, said that it was necessary to meet again before the New Year. The approximate date of the next working meeting is the second half of November.
Source:
nicalliance.org