Russia to Establish Tobacco Retail Registry to Curb Illegal Trade

Nov.25.2024
Russia to Establish Tobacco Retail Registry to Curb Illegal Trade
The Russian government plans to create a registry of tobacco product retailers to control the number of sales outlets and prevent illegal trade. The initiative will also strengthen regulation and crack down on violations.

According to Kommersant's report on November 22, Nikita Kuznetsov, Director of the Department of Domestic Market Development at the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, announced during a roundtable discussion on regional tobacco product markets that the government is considering establishing a registry for retail sellers of tobacco products.


Kuznetsov said that this move will help control the number of tobacco sales points and prevent illegal trading.


We need to address this issue seriously and discuss the retail market so that we can have a final validated list of sales outlets and sell related products.


He further emphasized that all tobacco sales activities outside of the register should be banned.


Artem Kiryanov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Economic Policy Committee, pointed out that "eight or nine out of ten tobacco shops inspected have committed significant violations.


Roman Troshkin, Government Affairs Manager of Japan Tobacco International (JTI) Russia, stated that currently 57% of illegal products originate from countries in the Eurasian Economic Union.


From September 1, 2023, the electronic registry of licenses for the production of tobacco products in Russia has begun implementation. Starting from March 1, 2024, the Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Market Monitoring Agency will be responsible for monitoring the production and distribution of tobacco, cracking down on violations, and overseeing compliance in product supply, procurement, and transportation.


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