New Policy Banned Smoking at Playgrounds, Schools - Moscow News

A recently proposed anti-tobacco bill would introduce a sweeping ban on smoking at playgrounds for young children, schools, universities and administrative buildings, as well as at cafes and restaurants starting from 2015, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said. "On the whole, children must not be exposed to tobacco smoke and see people smoke at playgrounds, schools, universities, outpatient hospitals and cafes every day. The new bill envisions a total ban on smoking in these places," Medvedev said in his video blog message. A smoking ban "will be introduced gradually in restaurants, cafes and bars, as, by the way, it was done in other countries," he said. "The final stage is Jan. 1, 2015. The document also orders that all administrative buildings be made smoke-free, seriously reduces the number of tobacco selling points and bans open advertising of tobacco in shops," Medvedev said. As the bill was debated, there was a popular opinion that this measure could discriminate against smokers, the prime minister said. "But today nearly 60% of adults and all children, including newborn infants, are subject to discrimination on the part of smokers because they are forced to inhale toxic cigarette smoke, although they have not chosen to be smokers," he said. "Approximately one-third of Russians are exposed to tobacco smoke at the workplace. For example, it is almost a "job-related responsibility" for wait staff at restaurants and cafes," Medvedev said. This bill is designed to help protect other people's health and "permits smoking in places where it would not harm anyone - in the street," the premier said. "This anti-tobacco initiative is certainly just the beginning of a very long path," he said.