Russian Ministry of health protection and social development opens public discussion of the anti-tobacco law

The Ministry of health protection and social development of Russia opens wide discussion of the bill “Protection of population’s health from tobacco use” and everyone may leave his comments and proposals on the Ministry’s site www.minzdravsoc.ru.

According to information of the Ministry the anti-tobacco bill was worked up in connection with Russian Federation’s joining the World Health Organization’s Convent on struggle with tobacco. The document should become the legislative base in sphere of protection of people’s health from smoking after-effects through restrictive measures for further reduction of tobacco consumption.

According to the results of the global questioning, made among adult people in Russia, 43,9 million people in the country smoke. At that the overwhelming majority of Russian citizens stand for prohibition of smoking in public places. 82,5% of Russians come out for complete banning of tobacco advertising.

In accordance with the results of GATS interrogation almost 35% are subject to influence of the secondary tobacco smoke at work. 90,5% of people, visiting bars and restaurants, have to inhale tobacco smoke.

In this connection the bill offers to ban smoking in cafes, bars, clubs, hotels, doorways and trains. The bill prohibits selling cigarettes in booths and restricts free sale of cigarettes in shops.

According to the bill the tobacco advertising will completely disappear and tobacco producers will be prohibited to become sponsors. Besides, smoking will be prohibited in all films and TV-programs, shot after passing the document. The Ministry of health protection and social development of Russia also offers to increase the excise share in the cigarette price up to 50%.