Background:
Turnover of tobacco products in Russia is 18–22 billion US$ per year. ENDS and heated tobacco products (HTPs) share is 2%. Smoking prevalence declined in 2009–2016 from 60.7% to 50.9% among males; from 21.7% to 14.3% among females. Use of ENDS, HTPs and other nicotine-containing products (NCPs) increased. Mass poisonings of children with NCPs occurred recently. Tobacco industry (TI) is investing in HTPs manufacturing. Import of ENDS, HTPs devices reached 2 million units per year.

Objectives:
To review tobacco and other NCPs availability, use and regulation in Russia and develop recommendations for public health benefit.

Methods:
Sources were identified by searching websites of Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), EAEU Member States, research centers, online research databases, and TI sources.

Results:
‘Concept for implementation of State policy to counteract the consumption of tobacco and other NCPs for a period up to 2035 and future perspective’ adopted in November 2019, defined NCPs as products containing nicotine and intended for the consumption of nicotine in any way (except for registered medicines), as well as devices for consuming such products. Federal legislation does not regulate chewing tobacco, and sucking NCPs, oral mixes without tobacco, ENDS, HTPs, hookah, besides taxation. There are tax exemptions and subsidies to benefit TI. Half of Federation constituent entities adopted regulations on some products. Legislation of EAEU (not a Party to WHO FCTC) does not regulate these products. The Russian Government accepted a single regulation of tobacco and other NCPs. TI has been lobbying for separate regulation of ENDS and HTPs as reduced risk products at Federal and EAEU levels.

Conclusions:
TI promoted regulation should be prevented at EAEU and Federal levels. There are strong arguments in favour of a ban on novel tobacco and other NCPs. Foreign direct investment in TI should be abolished. EAEU should establish relations with WHO and join WHO FCTC.