President Vladimir Putin has signed a law banning smoking in public places in Russia from June, a cornerstone of the government’s bid to improve public health in the nicotine-addicted country, the Kremlin said on Monday.
The law makes smoking illegal in restaurants, cafes, hotels, trains and a host of other places and will take effect in two stages.
From June 1, this year, it will be illegal to smoke in Russia on municipal transport, at railway stations, in lifts and bus stations, administrative buildings as well as any place of education or health.
From June next year, the ban will be stepped up to include ships, long distance trains, train platforms, hotels, cafes and restaurants in what will mean a major lifestyle change for many Russians.
The law will also ban the advertising of tobacco products as well as sponsorship of events by tobacco firms.
Over 40 per cent of the adult population in Russia are believed to be smokers and the authorities admit that their failure to take firm action on the issue has turned smoking into a major public health problem.