Belarus Proposes 20% Tax Increase on Vaping Products and Nicotine Items

Key Points

• Belarus plans to raise excise taxes on vapes, liquids for electronic smoking systems, and non-tobacco nicotine products by 20% in 2026.
• Electronic smoking devices and heated tobacco systems will be added to the excisable goods list.
• Excise taxes on second-tier filtered cigarettes will increase by 7%, and on heated tobacco products by 3%.
• Most proposals for stricter restrictions from the 2025 public consultation were rejected.
• Authorities cited difficulty in defining enforcement boundaries and potential infringement on property rights.

2Firsts, November 13, 2025 — According to BelTA, Belarusian Finance Minister Yury Seliverstov announced that in 2026 the government will focus on raising excise taxes on vapes, liquids for electronic smoking systems, and related products.

He noted that the same adjustments will apply to non-tobacco nicotine products.

Seliverstov stated that the government proposes a 20% increase in tax rates to gradually bring them in line with those applied to conventional cigarettes. He added that electronic smoking devices and heated tobacco systems will be included in the list of excisable goods.

Excise taxes on traditional tobacco products will also increase: the rate for second-price-tier filtered cigarettes will rise by 7%, and the rate for heated tobacco products will rise by 3%.

Earlier, Tochka.by reported that Belarus held a public consultation on smoking and tobacco sales regulations in summer 2025. The state food industry concern reviewed citizens’ proposals, but most were rejected.

Proposals not supported included a full ban on the production and circulation of nicotine-containing products and liquids in Belarus.

Suggestions to restrict or ban smoking on apartment balconies, near balconies, in studio apartments under 20 square meters, in cars with minors, and in restrooms of public or industrial buildings were also rejected.

In addition, proposals to prohibit smoking in public places and other outdoor areas with large gatherings of people were not adopted.

Authorities cited difficulties in defining territorial boundaries for enforcement and concerns about violating property rights.

Image source: BelTA