This week the Russian Parliament will start discussing a new bill significantly tightening the rules for smoking in public places.

      The document stipulates a total ban on smoking in almost all places of public resort, including restaurants, government, education, medical, cultural and sports facilities, as well as elevators, public transport and transport terminals. Smoking will be only allowed at home and outdoors.

      According to Rospotrebnadzor (the service for the oversight of consumer protection and welfare), almost 50 million people in Russia, or more than 40% of the population, are smokers. Among men between the ages of 19 and 64 there is more than 60% of smokers, and over one third of women are smokers too.

      VTSIOM state-run pollster has organized a poll dedicated to the new anti-tobacco bill. According to the results, about 63% of smokers and 93% of nonsmokers support the bill. And prohibition for tobacco advertisement is supported by 70% smokers and 90% nonsmokers.

      However, Russian social movement for smokers rights plans to start gathering the signs to veto the law as violating human freedoms. They also plan to postpone the discussing of anti-tobacco measures for three years.

      Russia’s Chief Sanitation Doctor Gennady Onishchenko said the tough anti-smoking bill should become law despite opposition from business groups.

Sources: Vesti.ru RIA Novosti Image: vipclubbrealty.ru