Regions may strengthen the ban on the sale of vapes near schools.

      The State Duma expects that regions will actively take advantage of the expanded powers in the regulation of vape circulation. As noted by the chairman of the chamber, Vyacheslav Volodin, before the end of the spring session, local legislative assemblies are capable of adopting a number of acts aimed at restricting the sale of nicotine-containing products near schools and kindergartens. Last week, State Duma deputies passed a law transferring two important tools to the subjects of the Russian Federation. The first concerns a complete ban on the sale of vapes in the region. The second, which is particularly emphasized, allows local authorities to independently determine the minimum distance from educational institutions to points of sale. The press service of the State Duma emphasized that the initiative stems from an understanding of regional specifics. According to Vyacheslav Volodin, local legislators are better oriented in the specific situation — where exactly schools are located, how urban infrastructure is structured, and what measures will be most effective. That is why the decision to ban or restrict sales near social facilities was decided to be left to the subjects. It is expected that before the end of the session period, many regions will manage to conduct the necessary documents. If such laws are adopted, stores selling vapes will be forced to either relocate to a safe distance from schools and kindergartens or completely cease the sale of this product in the territory of the subject.