Public-places tobacco-smoking ban passed by Russian parliament

Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, yesterday approved in its third and final reading a bill banning tobacco smoking in public places, according to an RT TV/TV Novosti story.

The ban, which is due to take effect on June 1, was passed by a 441 votes to one.

The bill envisages a gradual ban on tobacco smoking in public, including in government buildings, healthcare and educational facilities, cultural sites and stadiums, and on public transport.

Additional restrictions proposed on January 11, in particular one that would have outlawed separate smoking areas at workplaces, were not included in the bill’s final version.

Tobacco companies will not be able to advertise their products and they will be barred from holding promotional prize draws and sponsoring public events and competitions.

The bill prohibits displaying tobacco products in shops.