The composition of cigarettes and vapors can no longer be hidden behind trade secrets.
The State Duma adopted a law requiring manufacturers of products containing tobacco and nicotine to disclose information about dangerous ingredients. The rules will take effect on January 1, 2027.
We are talking about amendments to the law "on commercial secrets". After the law enters into force, manufacturers will not be able to classify information about substances that increase nicotine addiction, have a toxic effect or have carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic properties, including those acquired when heated or smoked. The quantities of these substances will also be disclosed.
In fact, this is an important step not only to protect consumers, but also the environment, since tobacco products and vapors leave behind waste that can contaminate soil and water. These include cigarette butts with microplastics, plastic cartridges, batteries and chemicals. The World Health Organization estimates that about 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are produced each year, and cigarette filters do not degrade easily and can release toxic compounds into the environment.
When the composition of the product becomes open, it is easier to assess which materials enter the environment at different stages of its life cycle, from production to disposal. This does not eliminate the damage from smoking and vaporization, but creates the basis for more responsible management of such waste, control of hazardous components and development of systems for their safe disposal.