As you probably know, on October 18, the Russian government approved the draft law “On protecting public health from the effects of environmental tobacco smoke and the consequences of tobacco consumption,” which deputies of the State Duma should begin to consider.
In April 2008, Russia joined the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and is now bringing national legislation into line with its requirements. According to the bill, smoking should be prohibited in premises and territories that are intended to provide services to the population in the field of culture, education, social protection, physical culture and sports, youth policy, and in the field of municipal and government services. In addition, it will be prohibited to smoke in urban and suburban vehicles, on the street less than 10 meters from the entrances to airports, railway stations, bus stations, ports, metro stations, as well as inside these facilities. Smoking-free zones according to the bill include workplaces and work areas, playgrounds and beaches, and common areas of residential apartment buildings. The bill also provides for a phased ban on smoking in areas and premises intended for the provision of health resort and medical services, on aircraft, on long-distance vessels, on long-distance trains, in premises intended for the provision of personal services and housing services. , trade services, catering and markets, in non-stationary retail facilities. In addition, the document stipulates a ban on advertising of tobacco products, promotion of their sales and sponsorship, and demonstration of tobacco products and the smoking process.
In the ten countries listed below, such bans have been in effect for several years: many countries introduced them in accordance with the requirements of the WHO convention, but some introduced them even earlier, ahead of it.
The ban was introduced in 2010 (in more than half of the states)
Places where smoking is allowed: specially equipped areas of public places, at home, outdoors
Smoker fine: $250-$1,000 (depending on specific state laws)
In New York, smoking is prohibited not only in parks, but also on the streets adjacent to them. Times Square is generally a completely non-smoking area. The most stringent restrictions are in California: smoking is prohibited there on all beaches, not to mention other places. In Illinois, you can go to jail for smoking in your car in the presence of a child under 8 years old. And a cafe owner who allows smoking in his establishment is fined up to $2,500.
The ban was introduced in 2010
Places where smoking is allowed: designated areas, at home, outdoors
Fine for a smoker: 50-200 euros; for smoking in public transport - up to 3,000 euros; for repeated violation of the ban - up to 10,000 euros
Judging by the amount of fines, Greece should be the most non-smoking country, but in reality everything is just the opposite: the Greeks lead in the number of cigarettes per inhabitant (3,017 pieces) and in the number of prohibition violators. Most owners of cafes and restaurants, according to them, will not interfere with a guest of the establishment who wants to smoke right at his table - even despite the significant fine of 1,000 euros, which in this case threatens the owner.
The ban was introduced in 2009
Places where smoking is allowed: specially equipped places, at home, outdoors (not on all streets and not in all cities)
Smoker fine: average 1,000 yen (about 12.5 US dollars), maximum 40,000 yen (almost 501 US dollars)
Japan is a very categorical country in the fight against phenomena that threaten the health of the nation, if they are recognized as such at the state level. In many cities there are entire streets where it is prohibited not only to smoke, but even to appear with a lit cigarette. However, on these same streets you can see advertising posters with women smoking. By the way, so far only in Japan there are special pink signs that signal that only women can smoke in a particular place.
The ban was introduced in 2008
Places where smoking is allowed: outdoor terraces of restaurants and cafes, railway platforms, decks of ships
Smoker fine: 68 euros; for owners of establishments that violated the ban - 135 euros.
Until January 1, 2008, the French could smoke in cafes, restaurants and discos, but now smoking is prohibited in these places. Enterprises and institutions are equipped with special rooms for smokers with an area of no more than 35 square meters. meters, in which the sale of any drinks, including water, is completely prohibited. Currently in France one can observe a picture quite typical for most cities: there are almost no visitors inside cafes and restaurants, but the outdoor terraces are almost always crowded.
The ban was introduced in 2008
Places where smoking is allowed: specially equipped places, outdoors
Smoker fine: 200 rupees (about 3.7 US dollars)
After the introduction of the ban, there were no fewer smokers: their number still numbered about 240 million people. A fine for violating the ban, equal to the cost of one pack, does not stop Indians from smoking in prohibited places.
Germany
The ban was introduced in 2008
Places where smoking is allowed: specially equipped rooms in public places, in hotels
Smoker fine: 25-250 euros
Before the leadership in the fight against smoking passed to Finland, it belonged to Germany, where the first significant bans were adopted in the late 1930s by the authorities of the Third Reich. In recent years, smokers cannot afford to smoke even in taxis, since they are equivalent to public transport, in which smoking is prohibited. And taxi drivers and owners of establishments whose clients feel the desire to smoke do not risk following the lead of smokers - for this they face a fairly significant fine of 1,000 euros.
Great Britain
The ban was introduced in 2006-2007 (the process in the United Kingdom took place in stages in different parts)
Places where smoking is allowed: private apartments, hotels (in rooms), prisons, outdoors
Smoker fine: up to £2,500 (almost $4,009)
Smoking is prohibited in football stadiums throughout the United Kingdom, but smoking bans elsewhere vary by area. For example, if in England it is allowed to smoke at a public transport stop or at a train station, in Scotland a smoker faces a fine of 50 pounds sterling (almost $80).
The ban was introduced in 2005
Places where smoking is allowed: special areas of bars and restaurants, isolated from other premises, without the right to drink or eat in them
Smoker fine: up to 100 euros
Sweden aims to rid its citizens of the addiction forever by mid-century, adopting increasingly stringent anti-smoking laws. However, smokers are finding new ways to circumvent these prohibitions. For example, many restaurants are turning into closed clubs with individual membership: this makes them equivalent to establishments without free access, in which the owners have the right to set their own rules regarding smoking.
Ireland
The ban was introduced in 2004
Places where smoking is allowed: specially designated areas in hotels, prisons, on the streets, boarding schools and psychiatric clinics
Smoker fine: 3,000 euros
Ireland became the first country to implement the bans provided for by the WHO Framework Convention. Already at the beginning of 2004, smoking was prohibited throughout the entire territory in pubs, cafes and restaurants. Those who want to smoke while drinking beer must leave the table and go outside, where there are special places for this. An owner who does not equip his establishment with such a place and allows his client to smoke on the premises faces a fine of 10,000 euros.
Finland
The ban was introduced in 1977
Places where smoking is allowed: at home, outdoors outside public places
Fine for a smoker: 50-150 euros; Underage smokers are subject to imprisonment
Finland is the first country in the world to start fighting smoking. Anti-tobacco legislation in this country was introduced earlier than anyone else, and the restrictions here are among the most stringent. For example, quite recently a ban on smoking on your own balcony was introduced, since smoke can reach non-smoking neighbors. By 2040, Finland plans to become a completely non-smoking country, and, apparently, they will succeed: today only every 5th citizen smokes here.
The bill “On protecting public health from the effects of environmental tobacco smoke and the consequences of tobacco consumption,” approved by the Russian government on Thursday, October 18, should be submitted to the State Duma in the coming days, which is expected to immediately begin considering it. Russia joined the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control back in April 2008, and now must bring national legislation into compliance with the requirements of this document. According to the draft law, smoking should be prohibited in areas and premises intended for the provision of services in the field of social protection, education, culture, youth policy, physical culture and sports, state and municipal services. In addition, smokers will be prohibited from smoking on urban and suburban transport vehicles, in open areas at a distance of less than 10 m from the entrances to the premises of railway stations, bus stations, airports, ports, metro stations, as well as in the premises of these facilities. Smoking-free zones will include workplaces and work areas, common areas of residential apartment buildings, areas of playgrounds and beaches. Finally, the bill provides for a phased ban on smoking in areas and premises intended for the provision of medical and health-improving services, on long-distance trains, on aircraft and long-distance vessels, in premises intended for the provision of housing services, personal services, and trade services , public catering and markets, as well as in non-stationary retail facilities. In addition, the document stipulates a ban on advertising of tobacco products, promotion and sponsorship, as well as a ban on the demonstration of tobacco products and the smoking process. Forbes selected ten countries where such bans have been in effect for several years: most states introduced them in accordance with the WHO convention, but some were significantly ahead of it.
Finland
Year of ban: 1977
Where is smoking allowed: outdoors outside public places and at home
Fine for smokers: €50-150, minors face imprisonment
Finland is a pioneer in the fight against smoking and smokers: it was the first country to introduce anti-tobacco legislation, has some of the most stringent restrictions (not so long ago, for example, it was forbidden to smoke even on your own balcony - the smoke can reach non-smoking neighbors) and the harshest penalties for underage smokers. Which is not surprising, given that the country aims to become completely smoke-free by 2040. The goal seems quite achievable: today only every fifth resident of Finland cannot resist a cigarette.
Ireland
Year of ban: 2004
Where smoking is allowed: in designated areas in hotels, on the streets, in prisons, boarding schools and psychiatric clinics
Smoker fine: €3000
The Irish authorities were the first to implement the bans provided for by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control: it was adopted in May 2003, and from the beginning of 2004, all pubs, restaurants and cafes were banned on the Emerald Isle. Smokers who want to combine a cigarette with beer have to get up from the table and move outside, where there are special places for them (owners who fail to do this and allow smoking indoors face a fine of €10,000). But, as a rule, no one will ask them where the person went with a glass of beer and a pack of cigarettes in his hands - but for those who go to the exit without a cigarette, such curiosity cannot be avoided.
Sweden
Year of ban: 2005
Where smoking is allowed: in bars and restaurants in special rooms isolated from other rooms, without the right to eat or drink in them
Fine for smokers: up to €100
The Swedes, like the Finns, are determined to completely get rid of the bad habit by the middle of the century - for which they are adopting increasingly stringent anti-tobacco laws. But smokers are also inventing new ways to circumvent the prohibitions. For example, it has become common to turn restaurants into private clubs with individual memberships: such places are classified as non-public establishments, in which the owners can set their own rules regarding smoking.
Great Britain
Year of ban: 2006-2007 (phased in different parts of the UK)
Where smoking is allowed: in private apartments, hotels (in rooms) and prisons, outdoors
Smoker fine: up to £2,500
The legislation of the United Kingdom specifically states a ban on smoking in football stadiums throughout the territory. As for all other places, it all depends on where the matter takes place. For example, in England you can smoke at a train station or at a public transport stop, but in Scotland you can be fined £50 for this.
Germany
Year of ban: 2008
Where smoking is allowed: in specially equipped rooms in public places, in hotels
Smoker fine: €25-250
Although in the modern history of Western Europe Finland holds the palm in the fight against smoking, in the more distant past it belonged to Germany: here the first significant bans were adopted back in the late 1930s by the authorities of the Third Reich. This circumstance has been repeatedly recalled to anti-smoking fighters by German smokers, dissatisfied with the fact that in recent years they have been deprived of the opportunity to pleasure themselves even in a taxi - this type of transport in Germany is equated to public transport, where smoking is prohibited. Few of the owners of establishments or taxi drivers are willing to take risks and agree to the entreaties of those who like to smoke: after all, the punishment for those who comply with the requests of smokers is significant - €1000.
India
Year of ban: 2008
Where is smoking allowed: outdoors or in specially equipped areas
Smoker fine: 200 rupees ($4.25)
Despite the fact that even hotels and restaurants, not to mention government institutions and other public places, have been declared smoke-free zones in India, there are no fewer smokers in this country. There are still about 240 million of them, and although the fine for lighting a cigarette in a public place is equal to the cost of a whole pack, Indians often do not pay attention to prohibition signs.
France
Year of ban: 2008
Where smoking is allowed: on the open terraces of restaurants and cafes, railway platforms and decks of ships
Smoker fine: €68
For almost a year - from February 1, 2007 to January 1, 2008 - the French were allowed to smoke in restaurants, cafes and discos, but now they are also places where smoking is prohibited. At enterprises and institutions, special rooms are equipped for smokers, but with an area of no more than 35 square meters. m. and with a complete ban on the sale of any drinks - even water. True, unlike most other EU countries, the French authorities did not introduce large fines for establishment owners: violators will have to pay only twice as much as an impatient smoker - €135. But now such scenes are not uncommon: the interiors of restaurants and cafes are almost empty, but on the open terrace you cannot find a free table during the day with fire.
Japan
Year of ban: 2009
Where smoking is allowed: in specially equipped areas, outdoors (not in all cities and not on all streets)
Fines for smokers: average 1,000 yen ($13), maximum 40,000 yen ($500)
Japan is distinguished by its categorical approach to combating phenomena that are recognized at the state level as threatening the health of the nation. In the Land of the Rising Sun, there are laws aimed at combating obesity and excess weight - and of course, they treat smokers quite harshly. In many cities, entire streets have appeared where it is forbidden to appear even with a lit cigarette, let alone blow smoke. But on the same streets you can freely see advertising posters with women smoking. By the way, in Japan there are even special pink signs indicating that women are allowed to smoke in this particular place - they haven’t thought of this in Europe.
Year of ban: 2010 (more than half of states)
Where smoking is allowed: at home, in specially equipped rooms in public places, outdoors
Fines for smokers: on average $250-$1000 (depending on specific state laws)
Two years ago, more than half of US states passed laws restricting smoking in public places. In some places, only government institutions, medical, children's and sports organizations were included in the list of such places; in many states - restaurants, cafes and bars, but in some places they went further. For example, in New York, not only parks were banned, but also the streets adjacent to them, and the famous Times Square was declared a completely non-smoking area. Smokers are treated most harshly in California, where you cannot smoke on any of the local beaches, not to mention other places. And in Illinois, you can get a year behind bars if you smoke in your own car in the presence of a child under eight years old, and pay up to $2,500 if you are the owner of a cafe and allow smoking in your establishment.
Greece
Year of ban: 2010
Where smoking is allowed: outdoors, at home and in designated areas
Fines for smokers: €50-200, up to €3,000 for smoking on public transport, up to €10,000 for multiple violations
Judging by the amount of fines provided for by Greek law for smokers, this country should have been a leader in the fight against the bad habit. In fact, it turned out the other way around: the Greeks not only hold first place in the number of cigarettes per year per resident - 3,017, but also in the number of prohibition violators. As many owners of restaurants and cafes admitted, they will not be too opposed if a person wants to smoke right at the table - despite the fact that the owner of the establishment faces a fine of €10,000 for this.
1. To prevent the impact of environmental tobacco smoke on human health, smoking tobacco is prohibited (except for cases established part 2 of this article):
1) in territories and premises intended for the provision of educational services, services by cultural institutions and institutions of youth affairs bodies, services in the field of physical culture and sports;
2) in territories and premises intended for the provision of medical, rehabilitation and sanatorium-resort services;
3) on long-distance trains, on ships on long voyages, when providing passenger transportation services;
4) on aircraft, on all types of public transport (public transport) of urban and suburban traffic (including on ships when transporting passengers on intracity and suburban routes), in places in the open air at a distance of less than fifteen meters from the entrances to premises of railway stations, bus stations, airports, seaports, river ports, metro stations, as well as at metro stations, in the premises of railway stations, bus stations, airports, seaports, river ports, intended for the provision of passenger transportation services;
5) in premises intended for the provision of housing services, hotel services, temporary accommodation services and (or) provision of temporary accommodation;
6) in premises intended for the provision of personal services, trade services, public catering, market premises, and non-stationary retail facilities;
7) in the premises of social services;
8) in premises occupied by state authorities, local government bodies;
9) at workplaces and in work areas organized on premises;
10) in elevators and common areas of apartment buildings;
11) on playgrounds and within the boundaries of areas occupied by beaches;
12) on passenger platforms used exclusively for boarding and disembarking passengers from trains during their transportation in suburban services;
13) at gas stations.
2. Based on the decision of the owner of the property or another person authorized by the owner of the property, smoking tobacco is allowed:
1) in specially designated places in the open air or in isolated rooms that are equipped with ventilation systems and are organized on ships on long voyages when providing services for the transportation of passengers;
2) in specially designated places in the open air or in isolated common areas of apartment buildings that are equipped with ventilation systems.
3) in specially designated isolated rooms that are equipped with ventilation systems and organized at airports in areas intended for the presence of passengers registered for a flight after pre-flight inspection, and areas intended for passengers traveling in transit, in such a way that the possibility of monitoring smoking tobacco from other premises.
3. Requirements to the allocation and equipment of special places in the open air for smoking tobacco, to the allocation and equipment of isolated premises for smoking tobacco are established by the federal executive body exercising the functions of developing state policy and legal regulation in the field of construction, architecture, urban planning and housing and communal services economy, together with the federal executive body, which carries out the functions of developing and implementing state policy and legal regulation in the field of healthcare, and must ensure compliance with the hygienic standards established in accordance with the sanitary legislation of the Russian Federation for the content in the atmospheric air of substances released during consumption tobacco products.
4. For persons in pre-trial detention centers, other places of forced detention or serving sentences in correctional institutions, protection is provided from the effects of environmental tobacco smoke in the manner established by the federal executive body authorized by the Government of the Russian Federation in agreement with the federal executive body exercising the functions on the development and implementation of public policy and legal regulation in the field of healthcare.
5. To designate territories, buildings and objects where smoking tobacco is prohibited, a smoking ban sign is placed accordingly, requirements to which and the order of placement of which are established by the federal executive body authorized by the Government of the Russian Federation.
6. State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation have the right to establish additional restrictions on tobacco smoking in certain public places and indoors.
ALL PHOTOS
Right before the vote, First Deputy Head of the Committee on Health Protection Nikolai Gerasimenko (United Russia faction) spoke, who noted that in the first reading 429 deputies voted for the bill, and in the second reading - 441. This, in his opinion, “proved that there are no tobacco lobbyists in the Duma."
"Except maybe for a few who didn't vote," he said. After this the failure occurred. The second time, 441 deputies also voted for the adoption of the document, one against it.
Provisions of the "anti-tobacco law"
From June 1 in Russia, smoking rooms will remain only in enterprises and offices. However, a number of provisions will come into force on June 1, 2014. This is a ban on smoking in sanatoriums, on long-distance trains, on aircraft and long-distance vessels, on urban and suburban transport, at a distance of less than 15 meters from the entrances to stations and airports or the metro, recalls RIA Novosti.
Also, starting from 2014, smoking will be prohibited in hotels, catering premises, and on the platforms of suburban railway stations. According to the bill, tobacco companies will be prohibited from holding lotteries and sponsoring festivals, and their correspondence with authorities will be published. Cigarettes will be removed from display cases - it is proposed to display only the price list for tobacco products at the cash registers.
In addition, the sale of electronic cigarettes and chewing tobacco mixtures such as nasvay is prohibited.
Member of the State Duma Committee on Education, ex-head of Rosoobrazovanie Grigory Balykhin (ER) noted that the bill at the federal level introduces a smoking ban, not only in schools, but also in universities. “This applies to both public and private educational institutions,” the parliamentarian said.
The deputy is confident that with the adoption of the law, “there will be fewer people willing to go outside for a smoke break.” Moreover, he noted that amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses are expected to provide for specific fines for violating the law, he added. A number of deputies have already proposed establishing a fine for smoking in public places in the amount of three thousand rubles.
Expert: the effect will be noticed only after 5-7 years
The adopted “anti-tobacco law” will reduce the number of smokers, but the effect will become noticeable only after 5-7 years, says Ravil Terkulov, chief narcologist of the Novosibirsk region.
“I believe that this is the right law, which is really aimed at preserving the social well-being of the country, preserving the demographic potential and life expectancy. There should be such a method of “social pressure,” the expert said.
According to him, the country will be able to feel positive changes in about 5-7 years. However, this period may extend, as opponents of the law will come up with various loopholes to circumvent the restrictions, the expert believes.
“But in general, restrictive measures will change a person’s state of consciousness. Moreover, greater obligations are imposed on the heads of enterprises as part of the creation of smoking areas in which they need to invest money. I think the directors will take this money from the same smokers,” Terkulov said.
The Federation Council also strongly supports restrictions
The Federation Council at its next meeting on February 20 will approve the “anti-tobacco law” adopted on Tuesday, said the head of the Committee on Social Policy of the upper house Valery Ryazansky. According to him, senators took an active part in finalizing this bill.
In turn, Vice Speaker of the Upper House Svetlana Orlova said that the “anti-tobacco law” adopted by the State Duma does not provide for such harsh measures against smokers as are provided for in some countries abroad.
“Currently, many EU countries have very strict national legislation aimed at protecting non-smokers from the effects of harmful nicotine smoke, and violation of national anti-tobacco laws can lead to administrative penalties in the form of a fine, and in some cases even imprisonment,” Orlova explained.
At the same time, she added, the toughest anti-tobacco law in the world today is in Australia. “In this country, you cannot sell cigarettes in branded packs, and all cigarettes in the country are sold exclusively in standard olive-green packs with mandatory photographs that demonstrate the harm caused by smoking to the human body. And other countries may introduce such measures. In particular , Great Britain, New Zealand, Norway and India have already announced their desire to follow the example of Australia,” Orlova said.
For example, in Italy, according to her, there is a ban on smoking in enclosed public places; smoking in the presence of children and pregnant women is also prohibited; violators face a fine of 600 euros. “Anti-tobacco laws are also in effect in Finland and Spain, where violators can face a fine of up to a thousand euros, and in Finland it is prohibited to smoke even on the balcony of your own home,” Orlova noted, adding that in addition to fines, violators in this country face criminal penalties.
Racing with the Dutch Parliament: they banned smoking in public catering
Meanwhile, the second (lower) house of the States General (parliament) of the Netherlands voted on the same day for a complete ban on smoking in all catering establishments, ITAR-TASS reports.
The law prohibiting smoking in public places was introduced in the Netherlands five years ago, but later a relaxation was made for small bars and cafes, which employ only the owners themselves, and not hired staff. Smoking was allowed there, or rather, it was left to the discretion of the owners of these establishments.
However, as numerous inspections have shown, despite the threat of fines, the ban was widely ignored in large bars, cafes, and nightclubs. Therefore, now parliamentarians have decided not to make exceptions for anyone, but to introduce a total ban with mandatory regular inspections.