The key facts
- Two child deaths after vaping in 2026: in Kuzbass and Ussuriysk, with 12 more people in hospitals
- Bans have been passed in 10 regions and are being discussed in 19; the federal law takes effect from March 1, 2027 until March 2032
- According to Alexander Belsky, by ages 14–15 almost 70% of teenagers have tried vapes at least once
Child deaths and hospitalizations
In Russia, two cases of child deaths after vaping were recorded in 2026, and 12 more people ended up in hospitals, SHOT PROVERKA reports. One of the tragedies occurred in Kuzbass: a child under two years old allegedly poisoned himself with vape liquid and died before the ambulance arrived. In Ussuriysk, a mother found her 12-year-old son dead; doctors named the use of an e-cigarette as one of the possible causes of the schoolboy's death. The hospitalized, according to the outlet, were admitted with severe lung damage, seizures, and heart rhythm disturbances.
Scale of teenage consumption
Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg Alexander Belsky told SHOT PROVERKA that teenagers start trying e-cigarettes as early as 10–12 years old, and by ages 14–15 almost 70% of teenagers have used vapes at least once.
Regional bans
Against the backdrop of the tragedies, regions are preparing to completely ban the sale of e-cigarettes. According to SHOT PROVERKA's count, in ten regions the relevant laws have already been passed, and in 19 more the issue is being discussed. In Tatarstan, the draft ban law passed its first reading; in Saint Petersburg and Omsk Oblast, initiatives have been submitted to regional parliaments. In Leningrad, Murmansk, and Sakhalin Oblasts, similar restrictions are being developed.
Federal law and experiment
From March 1, 2027, Russian regions will gain the right to independently impose a full ban on the retail sale of vapes and liquids for them — the corresponding federal law has already been passed. The restrictions will be able to operate within a five-year experiment until March 2032. Earlier, Life.ru reported on the Saint Petersburg draft law on a five-year ban on vape sales, submitted to the city parliament on October 19: the restrictions are expected to be introduced from March 1, 2027 to March 1, 2032.
Liability for illegal trade
Lawyer Sergei Zhorin explained to SHOT PROVERKA that continuing illegal trade after bans are introduced may result in consequences not only for sellers but also for officials: ignoring complaints about violations may trigger a prosecutor's inspection, and in cases of willful inaction or unlawful refusal to take measures, officials may, if grounds exist, face criminal liability.
