Crimean doctor warned about the risks of the underground vape market after the ban
Banning the sale of vapes can significantly reduce their consumption, but it will not be completely eliminated
A ban on the sale of vapes can significantly reduce their consumption, but it will not be completely eliminated. This opinion was expressed on the air of Radio Crimea by the psychiatrist-narcologist of the highest category Evgeny Menchik, noting that with the preservation of legal use, demand will partially go to the underground market.
According to the expert, if you limit only trade, but not prohibit the use itself, the illegal market will inevitably remain.
"If we have a prohibited sale, but not prohibited consumption, then we will in any case deal with an underground market," said Mencik.
At the same time, according to the doctor, the volume of illegal trade will be much less than the current legal sales. More difficult access to devices, including disposable ones, and liquids for them will help reduce consumption. However, to expect that it will decrease to zero, the expert does not suggest.
A separate concern of Menchik is the quality of products that can be distributed underground. The unknown origin and composition of such products pose additional health risks. The doctor also stressed that the lack of nicotine alone does not make the fluid harmless.
The discussion of restrictions should take into account both the possibility of reducing consumption and the risks of clandestine trade.
Recall that in the Crimea, the topic of banning vapes has been actively discussed since the autumn of 2026. On October 21, deputies of the State Council of the republic in the first reading supported the bill, which from March 1, 2027 to March 1, 2032 plans to completely ban the retail sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems and liquids to them.
In addition to the ban on vaping, the bill reduces the list of places where trade in conventional tobacco and nicotine-containing products is allowed. In particular, sales will stop in recreation areas and on beaches, in the buildings of children's recreation organizations, on sports grounds during competitions and in religious buildings.
The relevance of the measure is confirmed by the data of the Crimean doctors. The chief freelance psychiatrist-narcologist of the Ministry of Health of the Republic, Marina Shorenko, noted that young people in Crimea visually more often use electronic means of delivery of nicotine than traditional cigarettes.
