They sold what cannot be sold: shops in Mykolaiv region caught with tobacco raw materials

На Mykolaiv region specialists of the Main Department of the State Tax Service (SFS) uncovered a network of retail outlets that carried out the retail sale of tobacco raw materials, raw materials for electronic cigarettes and nicotine. According to the tax authorities, such products were sold separately or as part of kits. The Mykolaiv tax authorities reported this on 4 June 2026.

Illegal activity was detected by specialists of the Department for the Control of Excise Goods during inspections within the city. As a result of the measures taken, violations of the requirements of Art. 23 of the Law of Ukraine No. 3817-IX “On state regulation of the production and circulation of ethyl alcohol, spirit distillates, bioethanol, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, tobacco raw materials, liquids used in electronic cigarettes, and fuel” were established.

For the identified violations, fines totaling more than UAH 254.3 thousand are to be imposed on the business entities. The Main Department of the State Tax Service (SFS) also reported that officers of the National Police in Mykolaiv region participated in the actions.

“At the same time, with the participation of officers of the National Police in Mykolaiv region, more than 327 kits containing tobacco raw materials were seized from illegal circulation. Administrative protocols were drawn up on the detected facts in accordance with the first part of Article 156 of the Code of Ukraine on administrative offenses,” – the statement says.

The Main Department of the State Tax Service (SFS) reminded that retail trade in tobacco products and liquids for electronic cigarettes is permitted only with the appropriate license.

At the same time, the retail sale of tobacco raw materials, raw materials for the manufacture of liquids for electronic cigarettes and nicotine on the territory of Ukraine is strictly prohibited. The ban applies both to the sale of such products separately and as part of kits.

This story once again shows that the shadow market for nicotine products is not limited to cigarettes without excise. Alongside classic illegal tobacco, schemes involving raw materials for electronic cigarettes, kits and nicotine are actively emerging, which can circumvent the control rules that are clear to the buyer.

For the state this means lost budget revenue, for legal businesses — unfair competition, and for buyers — the risk of obtaining products of unknown origin and quality. It is especially worrying that such products may be accessible to young people, who are already one of the most vulnerable groups to nicotine addiction.

Previously we wrote:

• Smoke that chokes the state: how illegal tobacco is eating Ukraine from within
• Counterfeit: a Mykolaiv resident on a suspended sentence set up an illegal business
• Fake cigarettes were sold in Mykolaiv: seven participants in the scheme face up to 12 years in prison
• The Ukrainian parliament is considering a proposal for a complete ban on electronic cigarettes
• Global brands, an underground workshop and cement inside: a new level of agro-fraud in Mykolaiv region