For VARES, 2025 was the year of an active start and systematic work on the main thing: honest rules, legalization of the market and detinization.

✅ Formed and publicly voiced the vision of liquid/nicotine component market regulation: transparent rules, excise stamp as a key control tool, logic of separation of approaches to products and licensing.

✅ We were at the center of the dialogue with the state and the expert environment: participation in the conference on detinization, in the business forum, as well as at the meeting of the TSK of the VRU regarding the excise tax on electronic cigarettes.

✅ Supported the fight against the shadow and raised the topic of effective solutions (in particular, through the focus on legalization and updating the rules of the game)

🗺 We started work on the Black Store Map: a tool that should help identify "black" and "white" retailers and online sellers.

📰 Worked with the information field: publications/analytics, response to myths in the media, explanatory materials and preparation of research reviews.

🤝 Strengthened partnerships and presence: joining the National SME Platform and developing communications in social networks.

❗️Conclusion: in 2025, VARES laid a solid foundation for further development: we strengthened advocacy, systematized the position on regulation and excise, and intensified interaction with key stakeholders.

| The achieved results confirm the correctness of the chosen course

📌 In 2026, we will continue our work at the same pace: consistently, effectively and with a focus on transparent rules of the game for the market.