Everyone knows that smoking is harmful both for the smoker himself and for those who are near him, including heavy smokers. Concern for the health of the nation was explained by the law prohibiting smoking in public places, adopted on June 1, 2013. On November 15, 2013, penalties for violating anti-tobacco legislation began to operate.
Public smoking fines
Smoking on the territory of kindergartens, schools, universities and playgrounds is subject to a fine of 2 to 3 thousand rubles. In all other cases of smoking in public places, fines from 500 to 1000 rubles are provided for citizens. A legal entity violating the ban on smoking in public places can be fined from 30 to 50 thousand rubles.
It is forbidden to smoke on the territory of sports and cultural facilities, medical institutions, sanatoriums and rest homes. When traveling by any type of urban and suburban transport, a smoker can indulge in his pernicious passion and smoke, only moving away from the entrance to the train station, airport or from the metro station at a distance of no closer than 15 meters.
The premises of social services, as well as state and municipal institutions, are also considered public places. The smoking ban applies to workplaces, entrances and elevators, gas stations and public beaches.
On June 1, 2014, another package of bans came into force. From that day onwards, the following were classified as smoke-free territories:
- long-distance passenger ships;
- long-distance trains;
- hotels, boarding houses;
- restaurants, cafes and other catering establishments;
- suburban train platforms.
In areas where smoking is prohibited by law, special warning signs, inscriptions or drawings should be posted.
Effectiveness of prohibitive measures
Russia, as always with some delay, repeats the legislative initiatives of the Europeans related to caring for the health of the nation and the younger generation. But, unfortunately, it does not take into account the experience of neighbors. And he testifies that the prohibitive measures were not very effective. And the Russians themselves, as polls show, although they welcome measures to protect the health of "passive smokers" - people who are forced to inhale the tobacco fumes of smokers doubt that they will force someone to quit smoking.
According to VTsIOM, 76% of respondents supported the smoking ban, but only 47% of respondents believe in the effectiveness of such bans.
If we turn to the experience of Europe, the most effective measure to reduce the number of smokers by almost a third is the lack of advertising of cigarettes, promotion of a healthy lifestyle and qualified psychological assistance in order to quit the addiction.
