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 have been passed to ban smoking in public places. Many have heard of them, but few know all the amendments and the size of 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
02/23/2013, a law was passed on the prohibition of smoking in public places of the Russian Federation. It has the official name No. 15-FZ. It deals with the protection of health and the environment from exposure to tobacco smoke. It is worth noting that some of the points 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, entered into force only in January 2014.
In July 2014, the law on banning smoking in public places of the Russian Federation was improved. Amendments have been adopted regarding the illicit trade in tobacco products. However, they will come into force only in the next, 2017.
Bill Objectives
According to statistics from 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 is as a consequence of the growing trend in the number of smokers that the government passed a bill banning smoking in public places. In their opinion, it should be an impetus for reducing the number of smokers, as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle among the younger generation.
The objectives 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 promote a healthy lifestyle, improve the general environment and protect the life of non-smokers. Despite the goals set, experts believe that the first results of the law can only be seen after at least five years.
Where exactly can not smoke?
The law on the prohibition of smoking in public places implies a list of areas in which tobacco products are prohibited. Non-compliance with the norms of the law entails considerable penalties for its violation. Since June 2013, smoking in the Russian Federation has been prohibited 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, rooms of multi-storey buildings, beaches, playgrounds, educational or cultural institutions are places where smoking is prohibited in public places (law). 5 meters from the premises is the distance at which this norm applies. The violator will be required to pay a fine.
Smoking in an apartment building
Quite often, smokers have the erroneous opinion that smoking is permitted in the porches, as this is private property. However, this is not so. The staircase is state property, which is considered a public place. We believe everyone knows that there are exceptions to any decree. The law on smoking in public places of the Russian Federation also has them. Smoking is allowed in an apartment building if it has a separate enclosed space with good ventilation and is allowed to be used as a smoking room.
Who monitors these standards?
To date, the law on smoking in public places of the Russian Federation is being improved and supplemented. Despite the fact that it has existed 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 this. While a new structure, which will monitor the implementation of the law, has not been created, the police are watching the smokers. State Duma deputy Oleg Nilov believes that citizens themselves must first monitor the implementation of the law. He advises the Russians at the sight of a smoker to immediately contact a policeman. Nilov also recommends fixing the non-compliance with the camera. Currently, out of a hundred percent of offenders, only fifteen are punished.
Nilov believes that if more Russian citizens responded to such violations, the law would have been more effective.
The amount of monetary penalties
Three years ago, a law on smoking in public places was passed. Fines developed only a year later. Oleg Nilov believes that the main thing is not the amount of the monetary penalty, but the irreversibility of payment. Let's take a closer look at what fines await violators. For smoking on or near the playground, you will have to pay from two to three thousand rubles. The same amount is relevant for other territories in respect of which this prohibition applies.
Like alcohol, cigarettes are forbidden to buy and use to 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. Also, a monetary penalty threatens the seller. 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 bad habit to a teenager. The amount of such a penalty is usually from one to two thousand rubles. If a citizen shows an audio or video with a mention of tobacco products to a teenager, then he is obliged to pay a fine, which will be 20-200 thousand rubles.
According to the government, a step towards modern society is the law banning smoking in public places. Penalties should teach smokers to appreciate the health of not only their own, but also those around them. Public institutions also fall under tight control. If the organization does not fully comply with the recommendations regarding the design of a smoking area, then a fine of 20 to 80 thousand rubles is imposed on it. The local policeman is obliged to monitor compliance with the rules and immediately take measures in case of any violation.
Opinion of the Assistant Prime Minister
Assistant to the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Gennady Onishchenko 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 stresses that smoking takes the lives of millions. Laws on the prohibition of smoking in public places, in his opinion, are the best option in the fight against evil. He believes that it is a slow poison, and it is necessary to fight uncompromisingly.
Smoking laws in public places abroad
If Russia is only taking the first steps towards a healthy lifestyle without smoking, in many other countries the struggle has been going on for more than ten years. For example, in America and the UK, for the use of tobacco products in the wrong places, the violator will be required to pay a fine of one to two thousand dollars.
Public smoking laws are carefully 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.
Counter cigarettes
Violation of the bill, which will now be discussed, is most common. Few people know, but Law No. 15-FZ prohibits outlets from putting tobacco products on a display case. The government recommends keeping cigarettes under the counter, and presenting only the price tag for general viewing. It should not have images, only the name and price.
Three years later
In 2013, laws to ban smoking in public places were passed, but did they bring the public the benefits that the government and non-smokers expected? As we said earlier, statistics can be found out only in five years, but nevertheless there are some changes. We’ll talk about them.
Experts believe that it is too early to draw conclusions, but it is worth noting that there are fewer smokers. Significantly dropped the percentage of teenagers smoking. If before they could drag themselves around the corner of the school, now the district police officer is carefully monitoring this.
Inaccuracy in the bill
An experienced lawyer Timur Bondarev believes that the bill was not drafted quite correctly. As we recall, the normative act prohibits smoking in the premises of restaurants and cafes. However, the interpretation of the premises is not presented. Therefore, a violation can be easily challenged. In his opinion, the law needs to be finalized so as not to encounter disagreements in the future.
Opinion of the citizens of the Russian Federation
Having studied all the reviews, we can conclude that the opinions on the adopted law were divided. Most often, non-smokers support the innovation, but smokers react differently. Most often they are against such a ban.
Draw conclusions
Law No. 15-FZ entered into force not so long ago, only three years ago. It is too early to make global conclusions, but it is worth recognizing that there are still improvements. Not only did tobacco propaganda on television cease, but also their open sale. This has led to a decrease in the number of smokers, among whom are teenagers. Let's hope that this is only the beginning, and the law will benefit society, including the younger generation.