SmokeFree

A survey in Russia has revealed that 31 per cent of Russians are addicted to nicotine, although half of them support the idea of a ban on smoking in public places.

The number of Russian smokders is amongst the highest in the world. According to the survey, 52 per cent of men and 15 per cent of women are smokers in Russia, with the typical Russian smoker being a young man aged between 18 and 35 with a secondary education.

However, in spite of this a growing number of Russians now recognise the harmful effects of smoking.

In 2004, Russia's State Duma adopted a law limiting the smoking of tobacco. It prohibited the retail sale of tobacco products in healthcare, cultural, sports and educational institutions, and within a 100-meter radius of them.

The law also bans smoking at work, in public transport, on board aircraft if the flight is shorter than three hours, in enclosed sports facilities and in government buildings, except in specially designated areas.

Article originally appeared in RIA Novosti