Ажиотаж вокруг вейпов не утихает. Одни указывают на их потенциал для пополнения госбюджета и называют менее вредной альтернативой традиционным сигаретам, ссылаясь на научные исследования. Другие говорят о популярности вейпов среди The hype around vaping does not subside. Some point to their potential to replenish the state budget and call them a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes, citing scientific research. Others talk about the popularity of vaping among minors and suggest initiatives to combat this. The most radical ideas are simply to outlaw vapes or prohibit the addition of flavorings that add flavor to them. Ilya Sizov has the details.
The first idea was not supported by the government, and the proposal to ban flavorings was transformed during the discussion — it is now about allowing only the flavors of menthol and tobacco. However, both options for strict regulation risk having the opposite effect, says Nikita Krichevsky, Doctor of Economics, Professor:
"I personally do not see a big difference between a complete ban and a partial ban, for example, in the form of the inability to purchase flavors. Vapes are simply unusable without flavorings. There is indeed a problem of involving young people in vaping. At the same time, the sale of vapes to young people is prohibited. But in a situation where we get an almost complete ban on vaping, we will see that young people will switch from vaping to the same classic cigarettes."
The sale of vapes is completely banned in more than 30 countries. Proponents of this approach talk about the popularity of devices among teenagers and poorly understood health risks. Although it is already known that, despite the lesser harm compared to cigarettes, the use of vapes is associated with specific lung diseases. Opponents of radical measures insist that a complete ban will make the situation even worse — the trade in devices and liquids will not go anywhere, but simply move into a gray zone that cannot be controlled. For example, in Thailand, where vaping is illegal, the illegal market for these devices is estimated at $200 million. Economist Nikita Krichevsky agrees with these arguments:
"Exorbitant excise taxes have been introduced, there is VAT, and illegal products have neither one nor the other, so they are sold 10 times cheaper than their legal counterparts. If we ban vaping, and even restrict it, we will see that all 100% will end up in an illegal space. This means that the federal budget will receive nothing in the form of excise taxes. The beneficiary will, of course, be classic cigarette manufacturers, manufacturers of tobacco heating systems and people who are engaged in counterfeiting, illegal supplies."
The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade also warned about the possible increase in counterfeiting due to the complete ban on vaping. In particular, this is why the government did not support the idea. At the same time, the market situation is already difficult. According to the estimates of the Union of Nicotine-containing Enterprises, only one out of 50 electronic cigarettes is legally sold in Russia. At the same time, Russia has a successful experience in combating counterfeiting. Industry experts say that the turnover of illegal hookah tobacco dropped sharply from 95% to 5% after 2019 — then taxes on hookah tobacco began to be counted in a new way. And it became pointless for sellers of counterfeit goods to compete with legal players.
Source: