Short answer: Smoking and vaping are legal for adults (18+) in Russia, but where you can do it is tightly restricted. Russia's anti-tobacco law bans lighting up — and, since 2023, vaping — in almost all indoor public places and on public transport. You can smoke or vape outdoors on the street, but not near stations, metro entrances, playgrounds or the doors of public buildings. Fines are small but real. Some regions — notably Sochi — are stricter, and further curbs on vape sales arrive during 2026, so check the local rules for your destination before you go.
Where smoking is banned
Under Russia's federal anti-tobacco law, smoking is prohibited in effectively all enclosed public spaces and many outdoor ones, including:
- Bars, restaurants and cafés — smoking indoors is not allowed (and terraces attached to a venue usually count too).
- All public transport — buses, trams, the metro, and long-distance trains, including on platforms and while boarding or getting off.
- Train stations and airports — indoors and near entrances; airports may have separate designated smoking rooms.
- Metro stations — smoking in and directly in front of stations is forbidden.
- Near public buildings — entrances to government, health, education and cultural buildings.
- Playgrounds, beaches and recreational areas, plus building elevators and stairwells.
- Hotels — indoor common areas are non-smoking; most rooms are too, though some hotels keep designated smoking rooms. Ask at reception.
Where can you smoke? Generally outdoors on the street, away from the restricted spots above, and in clearly marked designated smoking areas.
The fines
- Smoking in a prohibited public place: roughly ₽500-₽1,500 (about $8-$24).
- Smoking on a children's playground: roughly ₽2,000-₽3,000 (about $31-$47).
Fines are modest, but enforcement in transport hubs and the metro is real — it's not worth the hassle.
Vaping and e-cigarettes
Vapes and e-cigarettes are legal to buy and use for adults, and specialist vape shops are common in Moscow malls. The key point for visitors: since 2023 the law treats vaping like smoking, so the same public bans apply — no vaping in indoor public places, on public transport, or in the other restricted areas listed above. Sales to anyone under 18 are banned. You can bring a personal vape and e-liquid for your own use, but don't vape in the metro, on trains, or inside airport terminals.
Note that Russia has been steadily tightening its rules on e-cigarettes, and there has been public discussion of restricting sales further. Regulations can change, so check the current situation close to your trip.
What's changing in 2026 (and regional rules)
The national law sets the baseline, but individual regions can — and increasingly do — impose stricter rules, and several changes land in 2026. If you're travelling beyond Moscow, check the local rules for your destination:
- Sochi / Krasnodar Krai — 15-metre rule (from 1 June 2026). A regional law bans smoking and vaping not only indoors but within 15 metres of the entrances to hotels and guesthouses, cafés, restaurants and shops, and social facilities such as hospitals, schools and sanatoriums. Regional fines run about ₽500-₽1,000, rising to as much as ₽2,500 for a repeat offence. This makes legal outdoor spots hard to find in busy tourist areas.
- Tighter vape sales. From 1 September 2026, selling tobacco and nicotine products (including vapes) at public-transport stops is banned. From 1 October 2026, retail of tobacco and nicotine products moves to a licensing system, which may narrow where you can buy them. Some regions go further — Perm Krai, for example, banned vape sales outright from 1 March 2026.
- Effective dates matter. Some bans you may read about only take effect in September or October 2026 — check whether a rule is already in force for your travel dates.
Bottom line: the safest approach is to smoke or vape only in clearly marked designated areas, well away from any building entrance and from crowds — and to buy what you need in a proper shop while you can.
Practical tips for travelers
- Assume "no" indoors. If you're inside anywhere public, don't smoke or vape unless there's a marked smoking room.
- Step well away from entrances and stations before lighting up outdoors.
- On trains, there's nowhere legal to smoke — including the platform. Plan around it on long journeys.
- Carry ID. You must be 18+ to buy tobacco or vapes, and shops may ask.
- Dispose responsibly — littering cigarette butts can draw a separate fine.
Frequently asked questions
Can you smoke in restaurants and bars in Russia?
No. Smoking indoors in bars, restaurants and cafés is prohibited, and attached terraces usually fall under the same rule. Look for a separate designated area if one exists.
Is vaping allowed in Russia?
Yes, for adults, but since 2023 vaping is restricted the same way as smoking — banned in indoor public places and on public transport. You can buy vapes in shops if you're 18 or older.
Can I bring my vape to Russia?
You can bring a personal vape and e-liquid for your own use. Just don't use it in restricted places such as the metro, trains or airport terminals.
What is the fine for smoking in the wrong place?
Around ₽500-₽1,500 for a typical public-place violation, and ₽2,000-₽3,000 for smoking on a children's playground.
Can you smoke on trains or platforms in Russia?
No. Smoking is banned on trains and on station platforms, including while boarding and getting off. There is no legal spot to smoke during the journey.
Are the rules stricter in some regions like Sochi?
Yes. From 1 June 2026, Krasnodar Krai (which includes Sochi) bans smoking and vaping within 15 metres of the entrances to hotels, cafés, restaurants, shops and social facilities, with regional fines of about ₽500-₽1,000. Other regions have their own rules, and vape-sales restrictions tighten nationally during 2026 — check local rules for your destination.
Rules and fines can change, so treat this as general guidance and check current regulations before you travel. See also our guide to buying alcohol in Russia, the Moscow etiquette guide, and safety tips for travelers in Russia. Plan the rest of your trip with a Moscow Pass.
