From March 1, 2026, websites that sell tobacco and nicotine products online will begin to be blocked out of court in Russia. Anton Nemkin, member of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Information Technology and Communications, spoke about this.
“On March 1, 2026, the law on illegal blocking of websites selling tobacco and nicotine-containing products online will come into force – and this is a logical step in building regulation of the digital environment and protecting citizens' health,” Nemkin said in a conversation with RIA Novosti. He explained that the initiative aims to prevent illegal distance selling and protect minors.
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According to the deputy minister, the previous system through the courts was less effective. These procedures take many months, during which time the website owner can change the domain name and continue working under the new address. The new procedure will allow such resources to be placed directly on the prohibited information register and, accordingly, blocked from the courts.
A separate block of new requirements concerns the obligations of website and social network owners to continuously monitor content. Nemkin noted that platforms must independently monitor advertising placement efforts and remote sales of tobacco products and remove them promptly. A similar approach has been used in online wine sales, including on marketplaces and social networks.
In the past, authorities have increased control over Internet content. In 2025, 22,743 resources with child pornography and 16,811 websites related to drug sales and “bookmarks” were blocked. Russia has also restricted access to more than 200 websites that disseminate information about banned dietary supplements, Tsargrad TV channel reported.
