According to Lenta.Ru on September 18, deputies in the parliament of the Republic of Bashkortostan, one of the subjects of the Russian Federation, passed a measure on fines for smoking e-cigarettes and hookahs in public places.
The amendment has been incorporated into the Republic's Code of Administrative Offences. Residents will be fined 500 rubles ($5.5) for the first violation, and 1,000 rubles ($11) for repeat offenders.
Konstantin Tolkachev, chairman of the local parliament, stressed that the law equates smoking e-cigarettes, e-cigarette devices and hookahs with traditional tobacco products and applies existing penalties to these devices. Therefore, the use of devices containing nicotine e-liquid will be prohibited in schools, hospitals, trains, public transportation stations, parks, above-ground and underground pedestrian walkways, and public event venues.
Earlier, Alexey Kurinny, deputy chairman of the State Duma Health Committee, said in an interview with the media that the legality of e-cigarettes in Russia is still unresolved.
The relevant bill was drafted by lawmakers as early as January 2022.
Comments