Russians to be fined for vaping in public places

Russians may be fined for smoking vapes in public places. Fines are to be introduced in Bashkiria, reports TASS.

Today, Russians are fined 500 rubles for smoking cigarettes in public places – schools, hospitals, sanatoriums, trains, planes, at public transport stops, in parks and squares, underground and overground pedestrian crossings, places where public events are held. A fine of one thousand rubles is also imposed if caught with a cigarette again.

“Considering the growing popularity of various types of electronic cigarettes, vapes and other heating devices, we believe that this measure should be extended to all nicotine-containing products and hookahs,” noted the chairman of the state assembly of the republic, Konstantin Tolkachev.

Changes to the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic are planned to be introduced in September.

Earlier, the State Duma prepared a bill proposing a complete ban on the sale of vaping devices and liquid nicotine in Russia. In addition, the head of the youth policy committee, Artem Metelev, proposed increasing fines for smoking in unauthorized places to 15 thousand rubles, and on playgrounds – to 30 thousand rubles.