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Russia’s Parliament Backs Historic Tobacco Control Legislation

Bill would require smoke-free public places, restrict tobacco sales and marketing

Posted by: Editor | Jan 25, 2013

Historic tobacco control legislation is a key step closer to becoming law in Russia after the lower house of the country's parliament, the State Duma, overwhelmingly approved it on second reading today.

The legislation has had the support of President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who called for strong action to reduce tobacco use in a video posted in October.

The legislation would:

• Require 100 percent smoke-free indoor public places, including educational, medical, cultural and sports facilities; government buildings; public transportation and terminals; shopping areas; and hospitality venues such as bars and cafes.

• Prohibit tobacco sponsorships and point-of-sale cigarette displays and restrict other forms of tobacco marketing.

• Restrict where tobacco products can be sold and ban their sale over the Internet.

Second reading, when amendments are considered, is a key step toward approval of legislation in Russia. The bill will go through a third reading in the Duma before being sent to Russia's upper house for approval and to President Putin for signing. It would be implemented starting this year.

The legislation represents unprecedented action to reduce tobacco use in the world's second largest tobacco market, where more than one-third of Russians smoke and smoking kills almost 400,000 people each year.