The Head of the Department of Trade and Services of Moscow Aleksei Nemeryuk explained the rules on smoking in open-air cafes to the city residents. This was reported by the online edition “M24.ru”. Smoking is allowed in the cafes that are not equipped with sheds and fences.

      “If there are only tables on the street, then you may smoke”- Nemeryuk noted. The first open-air cafes in the capital will start working on April 1. The city authorities have approved the new requirements for open-air cafes on March, 6. Now such cafes cannot be opened on the roofs of houses, at a distance of 5 meters from underground passages and 10 meters from public transport stops. You cannot put tents and garden furniture in seasonal cafes, as well as place tables around a tree. Umbrellas should not rise above the first floor of the building adjoined by the cafe. The anti-smoking law came into full force on June 1, 2014. Smoking has been banned in all restaurants and cafes. The restriction did not affect electronic cigarettes and tobacco-free hookahs. The revenue of Moscow cafes has reportedly dropped by 15-20 percent due to the ban on smoking.