Russia Duma Votes to Ban Smoking in Public Spaces

Smoking in Russia will be banned from restaurants, long-distance trains and housing block entrance halls under a tough new bill passed by parliament. 

Smoking will be banned within 15m (yds) of entrances to stations, airports, metro stations and ports; in workplaces; in entrances to apartment blocks; and in children's playgrounds and on beaches

Just one deputy in the State Duma voted against the legislation, which expands a 2001 smoking law.
It is now expected to be passed by the upper chamber and signed off by President Vladimir Putin.

Russia has one of the highest smoking rates in the world, with more than 4 in 10 Russians considered smokers.(40% of Russians are smokers)

If, as expected, the bill becomes law, the first new restrictions will come into force on June1.2013