According to statistics, today 62% of men and 23% of women smoke in Russia. Despite these bleak figures, the cost of cigarettes in the country remains one of the lowest in the world. The Russian Ministry of Health is sounding the alarm, taking measures to limit tobacco consumption. At the end of May 2012, an anti-tobacco bill was submitted to the government for consideration, which, however, was sent for revision. It is assumed that after technical amendments, the law will be adopted.
In May 2012, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation submitted a draft law to the government that fundamentally restricts smoking in public places. It is assumed that the proposed measures will reduce tobacco consumption by 40% and significantly reduce mortality in the country.
The plans of the Ministry include a phased ban on smoking in workplaces located indoors, as well as in most public places. The law allows smoking only in designated areas and in open areas. This applies to long-distance trains, long-distance vessels, hotel complexes, cafes and restaurants.
In order to limit smoking and reduce consumer demand for cigarettes, it is proposed to establish minimum retail prices for tobacco products. It follows from the draft law that such prices will be annually reviewed by the government upward. Over time, tobacco prices in Russia will be brought to the level of European countries, which will make it possible, among other things, to replenish the budget by 600 billion rubles over the next five years.
It is also proposed to prohibit the demonstration of the process of smoking and tobacco products in audiovisual works, if this is not part of the meaning of such a work.
The bill introduces a ban on the sale of tobacco in pussies and trading stalls within the city, leaving this right only to shops that are allowed to trade in spirits. If there is any doubt that the buyer is 18 years old, the seller has the right to demand from the buyer a document proving his identity and containing data on age.
These are just the basic requirements that the Ministry of Health has reflected in the draft anti-tobacco law. After amending and negotiating with the departments concerned, the law will again be submitted to the government and legislators. It is planned that this will happen before November 2012. The State Duma considered the measures proposed by the Ministry of Health too soft and is preparing its own version of the anti-tobacco law.
