In Chernivtsi, a mascot from the Vandal vape shop danced and took photos with children at a family festival

In Chernivtsi, during a gastronomic festival attended by families with children, the branded mascot of the Vandal vape shop chain—a large gorilla—actively interacted with minors. This was reported by RBK-Ukraine, citing a report from the YouTube channel "Anti-Rating." The incident sparked public resonance and raised questions about whether it is permissible for a character representing a nicotine-containing brand to be present in a space intended for children.

Vape shop mascot at a family festival

According to the video authors, the festival featured food courts, a musical stage, organized children's entertainment, and vendors selling cotton candy and other sweets, with many parents and children of various ages among the attendees. A large gorilla—the mascot of the Vandal chain—walked around the event grounds. Children took photos with it, hugged the character, and danced nearby. Meanwhile, Vandal is a chain of stores specializing in the sale of vapes and related products, meaning it is a brand directly linked to nicotine-containing goods.

"They don't know what Vandal is"

A journalist asked the person in the gorilla costume whether they considered it a problem to take photos with children while effectively representing a vape shop brand. The response was: "They don't know what Vandal is." According to the video authors, this remark highlights the essence of the problem: children may not yet understand what the brand stands for, but they are already forming a positive association with it—through a memorable character, music, joint photos, and fun dancing. Representatives of Vandal at the festival did not give a clear answer regarding the interaction of the branded mascot with children, and the administrator of the sales point refused to continue the conversation. A representative of the festival stated that parents bear the primary responsibility for their children.

Who is behind the chain

According to published information, Vandal is one of the largest vape shop chains, operating mainly in the western regions of Ukraine. There are eight stores in Lviv, and several dozen more in the western regions, Zhytomyr region, and Vinnytsia region. The chain belongs to LLC "Winlight Group." The founder and ultimate beneficial owner is identified as Kyiv resident Maryna Pivovar, who is also reported to own the online store Vape Hub and the companies "Cherikom," "Tern Group," and "Intera Corp," which specialize in the retail sale of tobacco products.

Under the scrutiny of the Economic Security Bureau

Since February 2026, the activities of entities linked to the chain have been under the scrutiny of the Economic Security Bureau (BEB). According to the prosecution's version cited by the authors of the material, some transactions in the stores may have been conducted through individual entrepreneurs who did not have the appropriate licenses for the retail sale of e-cigarette liquids. Nicotine-containing products were allegedly recorded as a "gift" accompanying a purchased item. The final legal assessment of these circumstances must be given by law enforcement agencies and the court. It was previously reported that the business supports the fight against the black market for electronic vapes.

Contradictory data

There are discrepancies in the sources regarding assessments of responsibility and the status of certain facts. On one hand, festival organizers shift responsibility for children to parents and do not comment on the permissibility of a branded mascot for a nicotine-containing brand in a children's space; on the other hand, Ukrainian legislation establishes strict restrictions on advertising electronic cigarettes and related brands, making the presence of such a character near children a subject of legitimate questions. Furthermore, the business's public stance on supporting the fight against the black vape market contrasts with the unrehabilitated version of the BEB investigation regarding possible transactions through unlicensed individual entrepreneurs and recording nicotine-containing products as "gifts." These circumstances have not yet received final legal confirmation and remain at the stage of investigative versions.