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(USGovernment-News.Com, June 06, 2013 ) Newark, NJ -- The tobacco restriction for Russia are set to be even stronger in the near future, as President Vladimir Putin is looking to create a healthier workforce and reverse the country's population decline. His attempts through tobacco restrictions, however, are being met with strong opposition.
The measure is all part of Putin's plan to 'create a healthier workforce' across the country. The tobacco portion is part of a larger law that bans smoking at schools, museums, sporting buildings, hospitals, and all public transport stations. In many of the cases, smoking is already banned, but the law does extend existing rules.
There is a minimum price on cigarettes that is set to rise by the start of next year, and the selling of tobacco will be banned in areas such as street kiosks. The move is an attempt to make the availability of tobacco products that much more difficult, and thus curb habits.
In recent studies nearly 40% of Russians admitted to smoking. That is almost two-thirds more than the 27% that admit to smoking in the United States, and 33% higher than the 30% of French citizens who admit to smoking.
Life expectancy in Russia is at 69 years, which is 10 years lower than that of the United States average, or the 82% seen in France, according to the statistics gathered at the World Bank.
There are opponents to the law, but just as many are skeptical of the enforcement of the rules proposed. Many believe there will be little harsh enforcement, and a black market is more that likely to simply crop up due to the restriction on sales in readily available kiosks.
However, there are many who support the general idea of smoking restrictions. "I plan to quit smoking and hope this will help,” said a Moscow resident.
But opponents say it will not work and infringes on the rights of smokers. "Our country is not ready for this law," said prominent legal expert Mikhail Barshchevsky, likening it to former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's unpopular effort to crack down on drinking under his "perestroika" reforms of the late 1980s.
"This is not a law about fighting smoking, it's a law on genocide against smokers."
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