Russia is one of the first places in the world in tobacco consumption per capita. Despite anti-nicotine propaganda, the number of smokers is increasing from year to year, as well as mortality from diseases associated with nicotine consumption.
Concern for the health of the nation on a global scale is the undoubted prerogative of the state. But is it possible to rectify the current situation by law? Or are high prices and penalties for violators in this case powerless?
The new smoking law as amended by the Ministry of Health and Social Development caused a huge amount of controversy. Even people who had never touched cigarettes found it overly tough. What can we say about heavy smokers. Many of them took the ban on smoking in public places as an attempt on personal freedom. However, it should be noted that the law on smoking as amended by the Ministry of Health and Social Development does not contradict generally accepted international practice.
For example, in Belgium, since 2007, a law has been enacted prohibiting smoking in bars and restaurants.
Residents of Singapore can not afford a cigarette, not only in a catering establishment, but also in a street line.
The Syrian Ministry of Transport and Aviation has legislatively approved a ban on smoking on trains, planes, and buses.
By the way, in some European countries tobacco products are sold only in specially designated places, and they are not cheap abroad.
As you can see, the Ministry of Health did not come up with anything new, proposing to increase the price of cigarettes and prohibit their sale in ordinary kiosks and convenience stores.
Of course, no drastic measures will correct the person who smoked, smokes and will smoke. No one is going to impose anything on an adult, intelligent person. In this case, it is not about those who knowingly poison their body, but about those who have to breathe tobacco smog for the company.
The law on smoking in public places in Russia was adopted and approved in 2005. To date, it is proposed to significantly replenish the list of places where cigarettes will be banned. Now it will include catering facilities, sports and playgrounds, stadiums, elevators, station and airport buildings, bus, trolley and tram stops, and public transport (including long-distance trains). Now, finding a place where you can smoke a cigarette will become a tedious task.
In addition, the law on smoking involves measures, so to speak, of psychological impact.
Now, instead of inscriptions, photos of the affected organs will show off on cigarette packs. The Russians have already noticed, with their inherent humor, that medical officials have decided to move from warnings to threats.
In addition, the new edition of the Law on Smoking regulates the sale of tobacco products. It is proposed not to exhibit "goods face", but for those wishing to purchase cigarettes, issue the corresponding price list. According to the legislators, such measures will protect the younger generation from unnecessary temptations. Undoubtedly, there is a great deal of truth in this statement. Given the fact that cigarettes on the counter are often adjacent to all sorts of goodies, our children from an early age begin to show interest in them. By the way, the fact that the sale of tobacco products to persons under the age of 18 is prohibited, so far none of the teenagers has stopped the desire to try these same products.
Affected by the law on smoking and the most popular of the arts. It's about the movie. I must say that smoking on the screen is rarely justified by the script. As a rule, in modern series and films, flickering of cigarette packs is just a hidden advertisement. And like any advertisement, it aims to increase sales, in this case, of tobacco products.
Of course, all these measures are unlikely to force the Russians to completely abandon cigarettes, but there is no doubt that there will be less smoking. You can talk as much as you like about the sweetness of the forbidden fruit, but this argument does not work in this case. Nobody is going to ban cigarettes for sale - they will only be removed "out of sight", and they will cost more. Perhaps the person who smoked two packs a day before would be limited to one or even half. Agree, at least some benefit. Well, those who want to sacrifice their own health for the sake of doubtful happiness to smell stinky smoke can always do this in the walls of their own apartment and in designated areas.