Most Russians support anti-smoking law – poll

(Moscow News – themoscownews.com – Aleksandras Budrys – February 20, 2013)

Most Russians support measures aimed at restricting the advertising, sale and use of tobacco products contained in the new bill passed by both houses of parliament, but are divided about its outcome, a poll run by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) showed on Wednesday.

It showed 79 percent of respondents approved the ban on all forms of tobacco advertising and sponsorship of its producers, 76 percent were against smoking in public places, 74 percent were for government regulation of tobacco prices and 69 percent disapproved the sale of single cigarettes (not in packs) and through vending machines.
Some 60 percent supported the ban on the sale of cigarettes in street kiosks, 59 percent were against their display in shops, 56 percent disliked the use of smokers’ images in movies and theater performances and 55 percent were against the sale of tobacco on transportation facilities and in hotels.
But people were divided about the prospects of the law as 47 percent of those polled expected the proposed measures to reduce smoking, while 46 percent did not, the survey showed.

The poll was conducted on February 9 and 10 and involved 1,600 respondents in 46 Russian regions.

The anti-smoking bill has been passed by the State Duma and endorsed by the Federation Council on Wednesday. It now has to be signed into law by the president.

The Duma has already started considering another bill on imposing a fine of 1,000 to 1,500 rubles for smoking in public places.