Prohibitionism

The Russian smoking ban, which enters a new, stricter stage this summer, has already had 30,000 Muscovites fined over the last year (see Post Script).

The law has banned smoking near metro stations, on children’s playgrounds, and in train stations, with violators facing fines of R500-1,500.

The second stage of the ban, which came into force June 1, further bans smoking in restaurants, hotels, and trains, among other places.