The key facts
- North Ossetia was the first in southern Russia to adopt a law banning vapes — on February 26, 2026; sales were supposed to stop from September 1.
- According to SHOT PROVERKA, vapes are openly sold in Vladikavkaz, including in the city center.
- Deputy Svetlana Doeva explains this by the suspension of the law: under new federal rules, the ban takes effect only from March 1, 2027; the bill on rescheduling deadlines awaits its second reading on October 29.
Sales Continue Despite the Ban
In North Ossetia, despite the adopted law on a total ban, vapes remain freely available for sale. As reported by SHOT PROVERKA, in Vladikavkaz, including in the city center, both disposable and reusable devices are being sold — they have not even been removed from illuminated display cases. The open display of vapes is prohibited by Article 19 of federal law No. 15-FZ, and companies face a fine of 90 to 120 thousand rubles for this under Article 14.53 of the Administrative Offenses Code of the Russian Federation.
How the Ban Was Adopted
North Ossetia was the first in southern Russia to adopt a law banning electronic cigarettes: the parliament approved it on February 26, 2026. From September 1, the sale of vapes, as well as the production and sale of nicotine-containing products, was supposed to cease in the republic. Residents and businesses were warned about fines: for citizens — from 3 to 5 thousand rubles, for officials — from 30 to 50 thousand, for companies — from 50 to 80 thousand.
The Law Is Allegedly Suspended
Deputy of the Parliament of North Ossetia, member of the Committee on Social Policy, Healthcare and Veterans' Affairs Svetlana Doeva explained that the law's effect is now allegedly suspended. According to her, the republic adopted its law earlier than the federal one, and under the new rules such a ban can be introduced only from March 1, 2027. Meanwhile, the bill on rescheduling the deadlines has not yet been adopted in the region itself: the first reading took place on September 24, the second is scheduled for October 29.
Federal Context
Earlier, State Duma deputy from the LDPR, deputy chairman of the Committee on Budget and Taxes Kaplan Panesh proposed banning the retail sale of vapes throughout Russia, removing such stores from shopping centers and residential buildings, and introducing criminal liability for selling electronic cigarettes to minors.
