Smoking is a problem in modern society. The number of people who smoke is increasing every year. Children and women are joining an unhealthy lifestyle. Even when they are pregnant, they do not give up a bad habit. Therefore, one should not be surprised at the low level of health of the growing society.
The federal law "On the ban on smoking" was adopted on February 12, 2013, and approved on February 20 of the same year by the Federation Council. The current FZ-15 is based on the provisions of the Constitution of the Russian Federation. It deals with the harmful effects of ambient smoke and the effects of inhaled tobacco. Some aspects of the anti-smoking law correspond to other normative legal official documents of the Russian Federation. An international treaty of the Russian Federation may provide for other conditions. As a rule, they are different from the current law "On the prohibition of smoking". In this case, the rules of the international treaty of the Russian Federation apply.
The following are public places where smoking is prohibited by law:
- Schools, higher and special educational institutions;
- Health facilities;
- Public transport;
- Territories of public services;
- Beaches and playgrounds;
- Petrol stations, etc.
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The current anti-smoking law "On the prohibition of smoking" came into force in early June 2013. However, some provisions came into force a little later. For example, article 13 of the current Federal Law on combating smoking was approved only on January 1, 2014.
You will find a list of additions and dates of entry into force of other articles in the latest version of the law.
Do you want to download the latest edition of the law "On smoking" with smoking with changes, additions and amendments? Go to .
Recent changes to the law "On the prohibition of smoking"
Tobacco is a herbaceous plant. It is addictive for most smokers. Many of them cannot overcome this disease. The best way to overcome tobacco addiction is to take preventive measures. The first step is to reduce advertising in the media. It is also required to reduce the "passive" advertising, which is carried out by smokers in public places. Sometimes the demonstration of smoking is also negatively affected in compliance with all legislative norms.
Every year, the law "On Smoking in Public Places" is amended to tighten the requirements for smokers. Despite the psychological and physical pain, the legislator ignores this condition. And the police impose fines in case of non-compliance with the conditions prescribed in the law.
The last changes were made on December 28, 2016. Parts 4 and 5 of Article 25 were supplemented in the new wording.
Ch 4-5 st 25
It is said that the anti-smoking clauses included in Article 18 come into force on January 1, 2017. They describe the prohibition of illicit trade in tobacco products. For this, the following measures apply:
- It takes into account the import and production of tobacco products that are moved across the border of the Customs Union by a citizen;
- The statistics of sales of tobacco products and their uniform distribution across the regions of the Russian Federation are tracked;
- There are cases of illegal trade in tobacco products. Entrepreneurs are subject to administrative or criminal liability if they do not take measures to combat smoking. In addition to the imposition of fines, confiscation of goods is carried out.
Article 12 FZ-15
Article 12 of the law describes in which places tobacco smoking is prohibited, including for the purpose of protecting the environment. These are:
- Premises and territories for obtaining educational knowledge, cultural institutions for youth, as well as in the field of sports and physical culture in accordance with the law;
- Sites and premises that are necessary for the provision of rehabilitation and medical services;
- Long-distance trains and long-distance ships, if their services are related to the transportation of ordinary citizens;
- Air transport (airplanes, helicopters) and all types of public transport;
- Premises created for the provision of hotel and accommodation services in accordance with the law;
- Buildings in which household services, catering services, premises for doing business, etc. are provided;
- Workplaces and zones for the organization of work;
- Apartment buildings and elevators;
- Children's areas and beaches with high population density;
- gas stations and so on.
Smoking is not only a bad habit for the tobacco trader, but also for society. At the government level, a stubborn struggle began with citizens who use nicotine, since the substance negatively affects health. In order to ensure order and tranquility of the population, a law on smoking was adopted .
Citizens have heard about this ban, but they know practically nothing about the amendments made in 2018 and the amount of the administrative fine.
Law prohibiting smoking in public places
The latest surveys conducted last year showed that almost 40% of the inhabitants of our country are addicted to cigarettes. A rating of states in which this addiction thrives has been published.
Russia is in 4th place.
A nicotine addict smokes over 2,600 cigarettes every year.
According to the results of specialists, cases of oncological diseases, heart anomalies and strokes increased among the population. For this reason, by introducing an anti-tobacco law, the authorities are trying to avoid serious consequences.
In 2018, the law to ban smoking in public places was tightened, with a price hike and the exclusion of certain types of cigarettes.
A few years ago, the small night shops located at each stop considered the sale of tobacco to be the main revenue. But now most of the stalls have closed due to the fact that nicotine-containing products have been seized.
But in supermarkets and large retail chains, cigarettes are left as a commodity, provided that advertising and promotion of smoking is excluded, as well as any demonstration of the process. The ban applies even to models in shop windows. Such goods must be closed in boxes under glass and shown only after the request of the buyer.
At the moment, active measures are being taken to reduce the number of smokers.
But the positive trend will be visible only by 2020. But already now the fines and penalties for smoking in public places have been tightened, in 2018 amendments were made regarding the permitted areas for tobacco workers.
Smoking legislation
According to Federal Legislation No. 15 "On Health Protection ...", which was adopted five years ago, serious restrictions were introduced for smoking citizens. Smokers were banned from using tobacco in many public places, even with the construction of specially designated areas in restaurants.
There are also changes in the Code of Administrative Offenses that have tightened the responsibility for the violator of the norms of the anti-tobacco law. Smokers and businesses that do not comply with established bans on smoking tobacco products must pay severe fines.
Rospotrebnadzor showed statistics, where in the first 6 months people were fined more than 50 million rubles for violations of the law.
Areas where smoking is prohibited
Article twelve of Federal Law No. 15 designated areas where smoking is strictly prohibited. On these grounds, sanctions may be imposed on citizens.
It is not allowed to use nicotine:
- in schools and kindergartens, technical schools, which also applies to higher educational institutions. It is forbidden to smoke not only inside the building, but throughout the entire territory of the legal entity.
- on sports grounds and in cultural and entertainment institutions (circus, philharmonics);
- in medical institutions;
- in any transport engaged in paid transportation of passengers;
- near airports and railway stations, depot. Provided that the distance from public places is 15 meters;
- on the territory of buildings where paid accommodation services are offered (in hostels, hotels);
- in shops and supermarkets;
- in the territory where social services for citizens are offered;
- in the city government building;
- it is forbidden to smoke at work;
- you can not use nicotine in residential buildings, if it is not your own apartment;
- on the street, in places where there is no sign for the possibility of smoking;
- at large industrial enterprises;
- the use of cigarettes at gas stations is prohibited.
As you can see from the prohibition list, according to the amendments to the law, tobacconists were severely limited in their rights. These changes greatly affected the revenue of cafes and restaurants, which previously had separate rooms for people who use nicotine. Today, even hoods and designated areas are prohibited.
If you ignore the norms of the law, problems are likely, up to the closure of the restaurant.
Where can you smoke?
Only certain areas may be allowed for smoking:
- if there are fences in the open space or indoors so that the smoke from cigarettes does not enter the living space;
- personal property or other property. This includes an apartment or a private house with an attached territory, a garage;
The possibility of a ban on smoking in a private car was considered at the state level.
At the moment, this is allowed if the driver stopped no closer than 15 m from the prohibited areas. Smoking in a car with young children is prohibited, as a person can fall under several administrative regulations at once.
While the law began to operate, the consumption of nicotine was limited to 15%. And also the cost of cigarette products and accessories for them is regularly increasing.
On the street for the possibility of smoking must be:
- label with a mark;
- illumination;
- ashtray and urns.
In a room for the possibility of using cigarettes should be:
- insulation to prevent smoke from entering the living area;
- ventilation;
- a special label with a mark;
- ashtray with an urn;
- fire extinguisher.
How much will the smoker pay?
There are special rules in administrative legislation that provide for punishment for offenders:
- Article 6.23 describes the penalties for involving a minor in smoking tobacco-containing substances: up to two thousand rubles - for all persons; up to three thousand rubles for parents of minors. The same rule applies to the purchase of cigarettes for children, forcing them to use tobacco products and their sale;
- Article 6.24 describes penalties for smoking in unauthorized places - up to a thousand rubles. If a citizen uses nicotine where children rest, the fine is increased three times;
- Article 6.25 describes penalties for management, legal entities and individual entrepreneurship after violations of the law. Punishment awaits a person and a company on whose territory there are prohibited places equipped for smoking. The minimum can be fined 10 thousand rubles, the maximum 90 thousand rubles.
Measures to reduce the consumption of tobacco products
Regulations against smoking hookah, vaping, e-cigarettes or tobacco are only one branch of the fight against a negative habit.
In addition to mandatory restrictive measures, the following are carried out:
- Campaigns that provoke the refusal of tobacco products.
- Ban on advertising and promotion of cigarettes.
- Increasing the price of nicotine products.
- Tobacco vendors are no longer eligible to sponsor large events, and their analogy is growing substantially.
- Due to severe restrictions, people are forced to give up the use of nicotine. To facilitate this period, the state organizes free rehabilitation treatment methods for the population.
Promotions and recreational activities, lectures are designed to fight addiction, which leads to health problems in the form of chronic diseases. Due to smoking, a person loses the ability to reason sensibly, and in the future, his ability to work.
More than half of the addicts resigned themselves and were glad that the government took drastic measures. You can at any time apply for a state program to a medical institution for a course of rehabilitation.
findings
At the moment, there are no clear forecasts regarding the effect of anti-tobacco law in the fight against cigarettes in the Russian Federation. The fine today does not frighten anyone, because in comparison with European sanctions, reaching up to 2 thousand dollars, the punishment in Russia is considered a penny.
The first step towards the improvement of the nation has already been taken. In 2017, tightened rules closed hundreds of tobacco shops. People who smoke tobacco should become familiar with their rights and obligations in order to be prepared to answer for a possible offence.
From October 14, 2017, new anti-tobacco measures come into force. Smokers will even have to look for a specially designated area in the fresh air.
Anti-tobacco law FZ-15: smoking is harmful
According to available statistics, every year almost half a million Russians die due to cancer and other serious diseases that are caused by smoking or inhaling cigarette smoke - the so-called smoke ingestion. This is a huge and horrific figure, and the goal of passing such a law is one step in the fight against terrible statistics, along with measures such as promoting healthy lifestyles and educating young people in an “anti-smoking” spirit.
Smoking in Russia is a real scourge of our time, the worst thing is that every year teenagers and women are more and more involved in smoking. The latter do not give up a bad habit even when they are in a position. Therefore, one should not be surprised that the younger generation, together with newborns, to put it mildly, is not distinguished by health.
In 2013, the Russian government decided to tackle the problem of smoking in the country. A law banning smoking in public places was signed and enacted. The Tobacco Bill aims to achieve two goals:
- Separate smokers from non-smokers, protecting the interests of the latter.
- Take care of the health of citizens who are not attached to smoking.
If in 2013 the law regulated a small list of places where people would be fined for a cigarette, then in 2017 it was expanded to the maximum.
However, we are unlikely to be able to find out whether the law will fulfill the functions planned by the deputies in the near future: according to experts, Russia will be able to feel positive changes in the nation's recovery caused by anti-tobacco bans and related propaganda no earlier than in 5 years.
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Fines for smoking in the wrong place
As for fines for individuals - you and me, ordinary citizens, their amounts are given in article 6.24 of the Code of Administrative Offenses: 500-1,500 rubles will be taken for smoking in the wrong place. The exception is smoking a cigarette on a playground, which is extremely harmful for kids, and this is logical - here a violating smoker will have to fork out 2,000-3,000 rubles.
Where you can't smoke
Reading FZ-15, one gets the impression that it is easier to name places where smoking is allowed than those where smoking is prohibited. But still, let's turn to the text of the law, to article 12. So, now it is not allowed to "smoke":
- Wherever there are young people - in educational and other institutions that deal with issues related to the younger generation.
- In institutions of sports, medical and sanatorium direction.
- In electric trains and passenger trains, on passenger ships and aircraft, on any type of public transport.
- Closer than 15 meters from any stations (railway and auto), airports, river and sea ports, metro stations, as well as inside these transport institutions and on passenger platforms.
- In housing, household, social, trade (including markets and tents), hotel establishments, catering establishments.
- In state institutions.
- At work (indoors).
- In the elevators of houses, as well as in any other common places in the house.
- Beaches and playgrounds.
- At gas stations.
As you can see, the list of prohibitions is quite impressive. To summarize, smoking is no longer allowed in or near any public places and institutions, including inside shopping and leisure centers and even in restaurants and cafes. Places and territories where smoking is prohibited are equipped with a special prohibition sign.
When will smoking be banned near the entrances
The Ministry of Health has formed a draft positive government review of amendments to Article 12 of the law "On protecting the health of citizens from the effects of second hand tobacco smoke and the consequences of tobacco consumption."
The Ministry of Health supports a ban on smoking in the open air at a distance of less than 10 m from the entrance to the entrances of residential buildings.
The situation when neighbors or guests smoke at the entrance to an apartment building is widespread, the explanatory note to the bill says. At the same time, all citizens living in the entrance, including children, elderly citizens, and especially citizens suffering from asthma and other respiratory diseases, are forced to constantly inhale tobacco smoke when entering their own homes. And residents of the lower floors of apartment buildings become "hostages" of this situation, not being able to open windows at all, according to the Federation Council.
The law works - the budget is replenished
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for 2016, the internal affairs bodies considered 449,201 materials on administrative offenses under Art. 6.24 of the Code of Administrative Offenses "Violation of the prohibition of tobacco smoking established by federal law in certain territories, in premises and at objects." There were 5,371 decisions on oral reprimands and 415,260 decisions on the imposition of an administrative fine. The total amount of fines under this article amounted to 211.8 million rubles. Compared to the previous year, the figure decreased by about 8%.
Requirements for the equipment of smoking areas
Isolated tobacco smoking rooms are equipped with:
- a door or similar device preventing the penetration of polluted air into adjacent rooms, on the outside of which there is
- sign "Smoking area";
- ashtrays;
- artificial lighting;
- fire extinguisher;
- supply and exhaust ventilation system with mechanical stimulation, which ensures the assimilation of contaminants emitted during the consumption of tobacco products, as well as preventing the penetration of polluted air into adjacent rooms;
Special outdoor places for tobacco smoking are equipped with:
- sign "Smoking area";
- ashtrays;
- artificial lighting (in the dark);
- informational materials about the dangers of tobacco use and the harmful effects of second hand tobacco smoke.
Video on the topic of the ban on smoking
In the context of the globalization of the problem of smoking, the response of the Government of Russia is the law on smoking, which prohibits the "tarring" of cigarettes and hookahs in all closed public places. Its goal is to prevent passive smoking by non-smokers, restrict trade, and reduce the consumption of tobacco products. According to the World Health Organization, about 5 million people die every year from diseases associated with nicotine addiction. In Russia, this number is up to 400 thousand. The adopted laws on smoking, which limit the scope of this dangerous phenomenon, are a real step towards a healthy future for the entire nation and humanity as a whole.
It is well known that nicotine addiction causes irreparable harm to health and annually claims millions of human lives. Diseases of the cardiovascular system, respiratory organs, oncological diseases of the lungs, throat, oral cavity, impotence, infertility - this is not a complete list of problems that doctors often associate with smoking.
Special attention should be paid to smoking during pregnancy. Often women and their inner circle forget that they are responsible not only for themselves, but also for the child. A pregnant woman with nicotine addiction does not have a high chance of giving birth to a healthy, full-fledged child. Congenital malformations of physical development, mental inferiority become real due to the addiction of the mother. It should be emphasized that passive smoking is just as harmful as active smoking, and even an electronic cigarette is not safe.
It is quite clear that a smoker is solely responsible for himself and his health. But what to do when he smokes in a public place: a cafe, at a bus stop, a playground, near the entrance? Then passers-by, residents are forced to breathe smoke. Often non-smokers. Pregnant women and children fall into the risk zone, which is especially dangerous for the health of future generations.
The Russian smoking ban is a regulatory legal act that aims to reduce the number of smokers in the country, reduce the mortality of the population, and most importantly, prevent the involvement of a large number of young people in the ranks of nicotine addicts. Thus, the norms of the act protect non-smokers from the smoke of cigarettes and hookahs, and also introduce fines for promoting tobacco products and smoking in prohibited places.
No smoking law in a public place was signed by the President of the Russian Federation on February 23, 2013 and provides for the gradual introduction of restrictions. The official name of the law is “On protecting the health of citizens from the effects of second hand tobacco smoke and the consequences of tobacco consumption”, created by the Government of the Russian Federation in accordance with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Federal legislative act 15-FZ came into force on June 1, 2013, and some of its provisions were introduced on January 1 and June 1, 2014.
Places where smoking is illegal
The Law on Smoking defines the basic concepts (Article 2) and principles (Article 4) of health care. It establishes the rights and obligations (Article 9), and also details the powers of public authorities (Articles 5-7) in the field of protecting health from the effects of second hand tobacco smoke and the consequences of tobacco consumption.
Article 12 of Law No. 15-FZ states that smoking cigarettes, hookah is prohibited in the following places:
- Educational, cultural, sports, medical institution.
- Sanatoriums.
- Public transport, aircraft, water and river vessels.
- Railway stations, airports, metro stations.
- Cafes and restaurants (in specially equipped places). An exception is a hookah with a non-tobacco mixture.
- Premises of public authorities.
- Elevators, entrances of apartment buildings.
- Playgrounds.
Travelers who smoke will have some difficulty under federal law. In order not to fall under the fines that are provided for smoking in the wrong place, you need to know some of the nuances or switch to electronic cigarettes. Law No. 15-FZ provides for 3 cases when a smoking ban is in effect:
- Inside the railway station.
- On the street at a distance of up to 15 meters from the entrance to the station premises.
- On passenger platforms where passengers are boarded and disembarked from commuter trains.
The use of electronic cigarettes is not prohibited by law, and you will not have to pay fines for smoking.
But using electronic analogues in front of children is still unreasonable from a moral point of view. As for bars, restaurants and cafes, earlier it was possible to meet smoking areas. Now the anti-tobacco law does not provide for such a distinction. It should be noted that hookah on tobacco also fell under these measures. The theme of hookah in cafes and restaurants occupies a special place. According to the new regulation, the device must not be used indoors. The hookah is designed for outdoor use. From now on, cafes, restaurants, bars are forced to organize summer recreation areas.
About no-smoking areas and special signs
The anti-tobacco law clearly defines the list of places where smoking of cigarettes and hookah is prohibited. Article 12 (part 5) of Law No. 15-FZ determines that such a territory must be marked with a special sign. The order of its placement, size, as well as the main requirements are determined by the order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation dated 12.05.14 No. 214 n. But these restrictions do not apply to smoking electronic devices. As you know, they are not included in the category of tobacco products. And all because the production of electronic cigarettes does not use tobacco leaf as a raw material.
The federal act also prohibits smoking on aircraft. This is due to the high risk of fire on board, as well as concern for the comfort of non-smoking passengers. After all, as you know, you can’t open the window on an airplane.
The anti-tobacco law prohibits the use of cigarettes and hookah with tobacco in cafes, airplanes, restaurants, as well as elevators, common areas of apartment buildings. Smoking cigarettes on stairwells, at the entrances - has been the eternal subject of controversy between smokers and their non-smoking neighbors. Federal Law No. 15-FZ protects the rights of people to breathe smoke-free air. Therefore, if a neighbor wants to pay a fine for smoking, he can light a cigarette while in the elevator, or under the entrance canopy. Now you can complain about him to the district police officer or to the police. Evidence of the fact of smoking in the wrong place may be a photograph or video.
Smoking is also prohibited in workplaces. In many companies, employees go to the landing. As a rule, there is an ashtray and even a sign hangs. It would seem that this does not bother anyone. But the anti-smoking law No. 15-FZ prohibits smoking indoors, with the exception of specialized rooms equipped with a modern ventilation system. Thus, employees must agree with the employer or the owner of the premises where the office is located on the arrangement of a smoking room.
Where can you smoke?
After a list of an impressive list of prohibited places for smoking, a natural question arises: where is it allowed?
The anti-tobacco law provides a list of places where you can safely smoke.
In Russia, you can light a cigarette:
- Outdoors next to a designated "smoking area" sign. Restaurants and cafes equip special areas for this.
- In a specialized room, which is equipped with a ventilation system.
- In my own apartment, car.
A voluminous list of public places where smoking is prohibited, compared with places where smoking is allowed, indicates that the anti-smoking law was adopted with the aim of improving the nation, promoting a healthy lifestyle. Law No. 15-FZ caused a wide resonance and was even called one of the toughest in the world, its influence cannot be overestimated. Thus, smokers have a choice - to smoke in accordance with the requirements of the regulatory act or to quit the habit altogether.
The Ministry of Health states that after the introduction of the law on the territory of the Russian Federation, there has been a decrease in the consumption of tobacco products and, as a result, a decrease in the frequency of diseases and deaths caused by smoking.
Smoking is not allowed in most public places, a ban on the sale of cigarettes at a distance of less than 100 meters in a straight line from the borders of the territory of educational institutions has been introduced (Article 19, part 7, paragraph 2), the sale of tobacco products to minors is not allowed (Article 20). And the ban on advertising about smoking (Article 16) by Law No. 15-FZ is aimed at stopping the propaganda of smoking, educating the younger generation of dislike for tobacco products.
As for electronic substitutes, the law on smoking does not prohibit them. Only those electronic analogues, the appearance of which imitates real cigarettes, are not allowed. But it has more to do with not promoting smoking in a public place. It is also believed that the electronic cigarette does not harm others.
Penalties
It should be said that laws on tobacco products and smoking are not created in order to burden the lives of nicotine-addicted citizens with fines for smoking. Their goal is to protect minors from the harms of nicotine and to realize the rights of non-smokers to breathe smoke-free air.
A fine for smoking is a measure of state influence in case of neglect of the norms of the law “On protecting the health of citizens from the effects of second hand tobacco smoke and the consequences of tobacco consumption”. Disciplinary, civil and administrative liability is provided for (Article 23).
- The fine for individuals is 500 rubles. But smoking at train stations or on the playground will cost from 1.5 to 3 thousand rubles.
- If an individual entrepreneur or individual sells tobacco products to a minor, it will cost from 50 to 100 thousand rubles.
- For legal entities or entrepreneurs, the fine will be from 30 to 60 thousand rubles. Such a system of sanctions is provided if in the territory where smoking is prohibited, there is no corresponding sign or there is no ventilation system. This is especially true for cafes and restaurants.
- For smoking on an airplane - a fine of 50 thousand rubles.
As for employers, they often prohibit smoking and introduce a special rule on the territory of institutions - an order to ban smoking. They also take measures to correct the situation - talk about nicotine addiction, remark, reprimand.
Despite the strictness, federal law No. 15-FZ was accepted by the population positively. After all, every conscious citizen understands that the problem of health in Russia is quite relevant. And measures aimed at informing the public about the dangers of tobacco, limiting sales, fines for propaganda and smoking are justified. It is important to remember that laws to ban the sale of tobacco and smoke in public places are common practice in many developing countries that oppose nicotine addiction.
About smoking in the resort
In recent years, the Thai government has been pursuing a public anti-smoking policy. And the questions about where you can not smoke and what are the laws on the import of tobacco products and smoking in the resort, worries many travelers. In addition, it is quite difficult to buy cigarettes in Bangkok, Pattaya. And if they are sold, it is of very low quality and at an exorbitant price. This is not surprising, because cigarettes in Pattaya are smuggled from Cambodia.
In a resort in Pattaya, finding a hotel that will allow smoking in the room is not an easy task, but there are specially designated places for this. For a cigarette on the balcony in the room, cafe, on the street - the fine can be up to 2500 baht. If you are on an excursion, it is better to ask the guides in advance where you can not smoke. And if there is no way without cigarettes, then in Bangkok or Pattaya you can find electronic analogues.
The smoking ban also applies to the import of tobacco products. There are special restrictions: for example, when going to the resort of Pattaya, you can import no more than 200 cigarettes (1 block) duty-free. The ban on tobacco smoking in Pattaya is not very strict with tourists, with the exception of demonstrative disrespect for local laws when smoking in public places.
Penalties for visitors for smoking cigarettes are infrequent, but still occur. That is why, in order not to overshadow your vacation in the resort of Pattaya, it is important to familiarize yourself with the laws on tobacco products and smoking in advance. Separately, it should be mentioned that since May 2015, hookah smoking has been officially banned. It was not possible to close all the establishments, but the quality of smoking mixtures in Pattaya is now being questioned. Strict restrictions on the sale of tobacco products and taboos on smoking in a public place in Pattaya are far from a minus. Perhaps this is a chance to quit smoking while enjoying the journey.
Smoking is a very bad habit that leads to addiction and health problems. The government of the Russian Federation is stubbornly fighting nicotine lovers, and that is why laws were passed to ban smoking in public places. Many have heard about them, but few know all the amendments and fines. In this article, we will analyze in more detail the laws relating to smokers, as well as the amount of monetary penalties from violators.
About the bill
On February 23, 2013, a law on the prohibition of smoking in the Russian Federation was adopted. It has the official name No. 15-FZ. It deals with protecting health and the environment from exposure to tobacco smoke. It is worth noting that some paragraphs of the bill came into force only a year after its direct adoption. For example, amendments to increase taxes on tobacco products, as well as minimum and maximum prices for cigarettes, came into force only in January 2014.
In July 2014, the law banning smoking in public places of the Russian Federation was improved. Amendments were adopted that relate to the illicit trade in tobacco products. However, they will come into force only next year, 2017.
Objectives of the bill
According to the statistics of the Ministry of Health, about half a million citizens of the Russian Federation die every year from cancer and many other serious lung diseases. Many health problems are caused by passive or active smoking. This figure is shocking. It was as a consequence of the rising trend in the number of smokers that the government passed a bill to ban smoking in public places. In their opinion, it should become an impetus for reducing the number of smokers, as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle among the younger generation.
The goals of the bill are, as we said earlier, to reduce the number of smokers, to eliminate illegal points of sale of tobacco products, as well as to improve the general state of the environment and protect the life of non-smokers. Despite the goals set, experts believe that the first results of the work of the law can be seen only after at least five years.
Where exactly is it forbidden to smoke?
The Smokefree Public Places Act includes a list of areas where tobacco use is prohibited. Failure to comply with the law entails considerable monetary penalties for its violation. Since June 2013 on the territory of the Russian Federation it is forbidden to smoke closer than 15 meters from all types of stations, sea, river and air ports, subways. All other territorial categories are subject to a lesser restriction, which we will talk about now.
Sanatoriums, hospitals, public transport, apartment buildings, beaches, playgrounds, educational or cultural institutions are places where there is a ban on smoking in public places (law). 5 meters from the premises is the distance at which this rule applies. The violator will be required to pay a fine.
Smoking in an apartment building
Quite often, smokers have the erroneous opinion that it is allowed to smoke in the entrances, since this is private property. However, this is not the case. The entrance is a state property, which is considered a public place. We believe that everyone knows that there are exceptions to any decree. The law on smoking in public places of the Russian Federation also has them. Smoking in an apartment building is allowed if it has a separate closed room with good ventilation and it is allowed to use it as a smoking room.
Who enforces these rules?
To this day, in public places of the Russian Federation, it is being improved and supplemented. Despite the fact that it has been in existence for the third year, not everyone knows who exactly should monitor compliance with the standards specified in it.
The government has not yet created a separate organization that will fine illegal smokers, but it has long been thought about it. While a new structure that will monitor the implementation of the law has not been created, smokers are monitored by the police. Deputy of the State Duma Oleg Nilov believes that citizens themselves should first of all monitor the implementation of the law. He advises the Russians to contact the police immediately when they see someone smoking. Nilov also recommends recording non-compliance with the standards on camera. At the moment, out of a hundred percent of violators, only fifteen are punished.
Nilov believes that if more Russian citizens reacted to such violations, the law would be more effective.
The amount of monetary penalties
Three years ago, a law on smoking in public places was passed. Fines were developed only a year later. Oleg Nilov believes that the main thing is not the amount of the monetary penalty, but the irreversibility of the payment. Let's take a closer look at what penalties await violators. For smoking on the playground or near it, you will have to pay from two to three thousand rubles. The same amount is relevant for other territories in respect of which this ban applies.
Like alcohol, cigarettes are forbidden to be bought and consumed by persons who have not reached the age of majority. A teenager who does not comply with the requirements of the regulatory act will be punished with a fine of three to five thousand rubles. The seller is also subject to financial penalties. The amount will be from 30 to 50 thousand rubles.
Few people know, but laws banning smoking in public places provide for penalties for those who introduce a teenager to a bad habit. The amount of such a penalty usually ranges from one to two thousand rubles. If a citizen demonstrates an audio or video with a mention of tobacco products to a teenager, then he is obliged to pay a fine, which will amount to 20-200 thousand rubles.
According to the government, a step towards a modern society is a law banning smoking in public places. Fines should teach smokers to value the health of not only their own, but also those around them. Public institutions are also under strict control. If the organization does not fully comply with the recommendations regarding the arrangement, then a fine in the amount of 20 to 80 thousand rubles is imposed on it. The local police officer is obliged to monitor compliance with the norms and, in case of any violation, immediately take action.
Opinion of Assistant Prime Minister
Assistant to the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation supported the ban on smoking in public places. Russia, in his opinion, is becoming a truly civilized country in which they value their health. Onishchenko emphasizes that smoking takes the lives of millions. Laws to ban smoking in public places, in his opinion, are the best option in the fight against evil. He believes that this is a slow poison, and it must be fought uncompromisingly.
Smoking laws in public places abroad
If Russia is just taking the first steps towards a healthy lifestyle without smoking, then in many other countries the struggle has been going on for more than a decade. For example, in America and Great Britain for the use of tobacco products in the wrong places, the offender will be required to pay a fine ranging from one to two thousand dollars.
Smoking laws are especially closely monitored in Greece and Japan. There, the fine to the violator can be from three thousand dollars. Surprisingly, in Japan there is a list of streets where smoking is completely prohibited.
Cigarettes from under the counter
Violation of the bill, which will now be discussed, is the most common. Few people know, but Law No. 15-FZ prohibits retail outlets from displaying tobacco products on display. The government recommends that cigarettes be kept under the counter and that only the price tag be shown to the general public. It should not contain images, only the title and price.
Three years later
In 2013, smoke-free laws were passed in public places, but have they delivered the social benefits that the government and non-smokers expected? As we said earlier, statistics can only be found out in five years, but nevertheless, there are still some changes. Let's talk about them.
Experts believe that it is too early to draw conclusions, but it is worth noting that there are fewer people smoking. The percentage of teenagers who smoke has dropped significantly. If earlier they could drag on around the corner of the school, now the district policeman is carefully monitoring this.
Inaccuracy in the bill
Timur Bondarev, an experienced lawyer, believes that the draft law is not quite correct. As we remember, the normative act prohibits smoking in the premises of restaurants and cafes. However, the interpretation of the premises itself is not presented. Therefore, the violation can be easily challenged. In his opinion, the law needs to be finalized so as not to face disagreements in the future.
Opinion of citizens of the Russian Federation
Having studied all the reviews, we can conclude that opinions about the adopted law were divided. Most often, non-smokers support the innovation, but smokers react differently. Most often they are against such a ban.
Drawing conclusions
Law No. 15-FZ came into force not so long ago, only three years ago. It is too early to draw global conclusions, but it is worth recognizing that there are still improvements. Stopped not only the propaganda of tobacco products on television, but also their open sale. This has led to a decrease in the number of smokers, including teenagers. Let's hope that this is only the beginning, and the law will benefit society, including the younger generation.