Belarus plans to tighten licensing for e-cigarette and e-liquid trade; Lukashenko expresses support

Key Takeaways

• Legislative plan: tighten licensing for trade in e-cigarettes and related mixtures (e-liquids)
• Venue: draft law discussed at a meeting between Lukashenko and the Council of Ministers leadership (BelTA correspondent)
• Rationale cited: doctors’ concerns over rising youth usage among students and schoolchildren
• Risk raised: possibility of underground trade and cross-border inflows given “no borders” with Russia
• Next step: Lukashenko says experts will explain details before an official decision is taken

2Firsts, Feb 6 2026

According to BelTA correspondent, Belarus plans to tighten, at the legislative level, the licensing of trade in electronic cigarettes and related mixtures (e-liquids). The draft law was discussed at a meeting chaired by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (Александр Лукашенко) with the leadership of the Council of Ministers.

The report quotes Lukashenko as saying doctors are “sounding the alarm” over the growing popularity of e-cigarettes, especially among young people—students and schoolchildren—and that calls are increasingly being heard to restrict and even totally ban their production and circulation.

Lukashenko also pointed to what he described as the other side of the issue, asking whether the measures could create underground trade. He recalled that when electronic smoking devices were introduced, Russia already had the problem, and Belarus has “no borders” with Russia; he said that even if Belarus did not introduce them, goods could be brought in, and that they had already been imported in whatever quantities were wanted or needed. He said the new draft law raised the question of making a decision on “to be or not to be.”

The report also quotes Lukashenko as saying he does not understand smoking products or alcohol well and wanted specialists—those who smoke or have studied the topic—to explain what e-cigarettes are. He said some claim they are worse than tobacco and that he would listen and then make an appropriate decision. He added that he is categorically opposed to both alcohol and smoking and said doctors already know that smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer.

At the start of the meeting, Lukashenko said they would try to find a balance, discuss the issue, and make an appropriate decision.

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