[Intl-tobacco] Russian Parliament Considers Law On Limiting Tobacco Smoking

[Robert Weissman]

Russian Parliament Considers Law On Limiting Tobacco Smoking
Source: Pravda Online, Thursday, 6/14/01

The bill On the Limiting of Tobacco Smoking was under discussion at the
State Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian parliament.

 This bill limits, or bans, smoking in public places, institutions,
schools and hospitals.

 It seals permissible limits for the content of nicotine and tar in
tobacco products. Filter cigarettes are allowed to have 14 milligrams of
tar and 1.2 milligrams of nicotine; for cigarettes without filter it is 16
milligrams of tar and 1.3 milligrams of nicotine.

 The bill was initiated by Nikolai Gerasimenko, chairman of the Duma
Health Protection and Sports Committee. According to him, every year over
4 million people die of smoking throughout the world and approximately
400,000 in Russia.  In experts' estimates, if the advertising and use of
tobacco are not limited, the number of tobacco-caused deaths in Russia can
reach one million in a matter of a few years to come, Gerasimenko warned.

 After introducing amendments, Russian parliament will resume discussing
the bill.

RIA 'Novosti'

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