National anti-tobacco

Above about no-smoking.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, dramatic number of smokers, too much pressure on the government for 2010-2015, as part of the country's anti - tobacco programs cut was approved.

The recommendations of the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which Russia ratified in April, are now fully reflected in this country's anti-tobacco laws.

Smoking is extremely popular in Russia, with the low cost of cigarettes being a major contributing factor to the trend. According to the Health Ministry figures, almost 40% of Russians are tobacco smokers and an estimated 80% are the so called "passive inhalers." The government plans to bring the number of smokers down to 25% and halve the number of the "passive inhalers".

Under the plan, there will be a shortlist of no-smoking zones to include hospital, schools, orphanage, sports facilities and all types of "indoor" premises. This list may eventually include also public transport, planes, auto- and railway stations, airports and even bust stops. Smoking at cafes and restaurants, clubs and concert halls will also be outlawed. During a special "transition period" people will be allowed to have a drag or two in well-ventilated areas expressly set aside for those who just can't quit.

The concept provides for a complete ban on the tar-content classification of cigarettes, as experts say that all talk about some cigarettes being less harmful than others is simply a means of hoodwinking consumers. There will also be a ban on advertising, sponsoring and stimulation of tobacco sales.

Cigarette smoking itself may soon become a luxury here now that the government is considering the cigarette sales tax to bring it up to par with European standards. All this reflects the aggressive anti-smoking campaign now on elsewhere in the world. There is a total ban on smoking in public places now in effect in Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Malta, the UK, Lithuania, Slovenia, Greece and Cyprus. Japan recently imposed a record 40 percent tax hike on cigarettes in a bid to curb the nation's smoking rate - the highest among major industrialized nations.

The harshest anti-tobacco law, however, is to be found in Finland, where you can wind up in jail for selling just one cigarette to someone who is under age.