Country: Russia

Committee: World Health Organization.

Agenda: the impact of electronic cigarettes on psychological and reproductive state among
adolescents
Delegate: Yergali Yertileu

Position paper
Dear Chair and delegates, Russia is deeply concerned about the increasing of vaping among
adolescents. We recognize the importance of addressing this issue to safeguard the well-being of
our youth. How vaping affects our teenagers? Recent studies shows that e-cigarette use among
adolescents is linked to various psychological issues like depression and anexity, also nicotine
and other chemical elements may damage reproductive health of adolescents. For males it can
lead to decreasing of reproductive hormones, while for females it may disturb menstrual cycles.
Electronic cigarettes are addictive as traditional ones. They both contain nicotine that can lead to
addiction. Among adolescent’s e-cigarettes, especially the disposable kind, are more popular than
any traditional tobacco product. In accordance with 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey, more
than 2 million middle and high school students reported using e-cigarettes only in US,
meanwhile in Russia around 15% of adolescents smoke vape, that means more than 4 million
Russian youth are addicted to nicotine products.
Vaping in Russia started during 2007-2008, but it became popular around adolescents in recent
years. Last year on January 16 in Saint Peterburg 14 years old boy was found dead after using
vape. To prevent this type of situations, Russia made restrictions about vapes sales minimum age
requirement, sales via the internet, maximum nicotine concentration by Federal law number 303.
Russia became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in order to
regulate various aspects of vaping. Result of this collabaration are sales restrictions, ban smoking
vapes on public places, prohibiting advertisment promotion and sponsorship with vape products.
Our country strongly recommend strengthening regulations connected to vapes. Firstly, the
Russian Federation suggest stricter regulations on vape market and sale of e-cigarettes,
particulary to minors. This include banning flavored vapes that appeal adolescents and higher
taxes on e-cigarette products. These measures can be effective if all countries unite to deal with
this problem.
The Russian Federation is commited to protect the health and well-being of adolescents.
Addressing the impact of e-cigarettes on psychological and reproductive health among
adolescents is a critical component of this commitment. We urge the WHO and member states to
take decisive action to combat this growing public health concern.
References:
1) https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7039a4.htm
2) https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/russia/e-cigarettes/main-policies
3) https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/russia
4) https://rg.ru/2018/10/24/v-rossii-vyroslo-chislo-kurilshchikov-sredi-podrostkov-i-
studentov.html