The Legal Support Department of the Dnipro City Council has outlined updated enforcement rules and financial penalties for retailers selling tobacco, heated tobacco, and electronic cigarettes in Ukraine. Under the Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding the Protection of Public Health from the Harmful Effects of Tobacco,” vendors face state penalties reaching 50,000 hryvnias for non-compliance.
The updated framework targets both promotion and product chemistry to restrict access to nicotine and protect public health across retail distribution networks.
Strict Bans on Tobacco and Vape Advertising
Ukrainian law bans advertising, sales promotions, and sponsorships for tobacco items, tobacco heating devices, electronic cigarettes, refill containers, and e-liquids. Commercial operators are prohibited from engaging in the following promotional activities:
- Displaying product and brand information at points of sale or in public venues.
- Distributing online ads, video clips, gaming content, or promotional messages.
- Bundling nicotine items with non-tobacco goods or services.
- Sponsoring sports events, concerts, broadcasts, political groups, or educational bodies.
- Offering free product samples, cashbacks, lotteries, discounts, or consumer contests.
The statute provides narrow exceptions. Commercial messaging is permitted on the official websites of manufacturers and importers only if users clear strict age-verification gates before viewing inventory.
Prohibited Ingredients and Technical Limits
The law regulates the internal characteristics of tobacco goods and electronic nicotine delivery systems. Retailers are barred from stocking combustible products containing additives that imply health benefits—such as vitamins—along with energy boosters like caffeine or taurine, and chemicals that tint exhaust smoke.
Cigarettes and rolling tobacco must not feature filters, papers, or flavor capsules designed to alter smell, taste, or smoke intensity.
Electronic cigarette liquids – both with and without nicotine – face parallel market bans if they feature:
- Flavors and aroma additives mimicking fruits, sweets, or menthol.
- Additives that ease inhalation or accelerate nicotine absorption.
- Nicotine concentrations exceeding 20 milligrams per milliliter.
- Refill containers exceeding a volume of 10 milliliters.
- Disposable devices or replacement pods exceeding a liquid capacity of 2 milliliters.
Penalty Schedule for Retail Violations
Enforcement bodies apply financial penalties directly to vendors based on the offense category and whether the incident is a repeat infraction within a 12-month window.
| Violation Category | First Violation | Repeat Violation (Within 1 Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising, Promotion, and Sponsorship | 30,000 hryvnias per instance or channel | 50,000 hryvnias |
| Non-Compliant Ingredients, Flavors, or Tank Sizes | 20,000 hryvnias | 50,000 hryvnias |
Regional legal departments and market regulators continue unannounced store inspections to ensure compliance across retail points, focusing particularly on point-of-sale displays and online retail storefronts.
