Russian Federation – Smoking ban extended to bars, restaurants and public transport facilities

JUNE 2014 – The law “On protection of citizens’ health from tobacco smoke and the consequences of tobacco consumption” came into effect on 1 June 2013.

The ban was introduced gradually, and first introduced in certain public places – including educational, healthcare, and sports facilities, as well as airports, state administration buildings, and lifts and stairways of apartment blocks. From 1 June 2014 the smoking ban was extended to bars, restaurants, hotels, long distance trains, and ships. Smoking areas and designated smoking rooms cease to exist in eating establishments across Russia. In addition, cigarettes will no longer be on display in shops or sold in kiosks. Violation of the ban will attract significant fines, payable by both the smoker and the owner of the establishment.

The text of the law (in Russian) is available under this link: 

http://news.kremlin.ru/media/events/files/41d44ac07ad86717c5f9.pdf

More information is available from Nataliia Toropova, WHO Country Office (toropovan@who.int).