Ukrainian Smokers Quit Smoking, Indoor Smoking Ban

More Ukrainians are giving up the highly damaging smoking habit as legislation toughens bans on advertising, smoking in public places and introduces disturbing graphic warnings on cigarette packs. As of Dec. 16, smoking indoors will be illegal as a new law signed by President Viktor Yanukovych in June comes into effect. It prohibits smoking in restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, governmental buildings, sport arenas and cultural premises. Hookah pipes and electronic cigarettes also fall under the ban. These premises’ smoking rooms or areas will be closed, but will still be allowed in office buildings. Violators will face fines of Hr 1,000 ($125) to Hr 10,000. The new bill adds to the pile of recent success of tobacco-control legislation. In September, a law banning all forms of cigarette advertising came into effect. Moreover, since Oct. 4, tobacco companies are obliged to sell cigarettes with graphic warnings on packs.