Russian lawmakers are concerned that the number of smokers in Russia has ceased to decline. A few years ago, the percentage of smokers in the adult population was 39%. After the entry into force of anti-Smoking legislation, this figure dropped to 33%, but then the process stopped, have informed “news” the co-chair of the Russian anti-tobacco coalition, member of the working group on development of technical regulations “Tobacco products” of the Customs Union Daria Khalturina.
Now MPs propose new measures to restrict Smoking among Russians, which in General can be reduced to three instruments.
First — a unified design package. As reported by “Izvestia” state Duma Deputy Dmitry Nosov, he prepared a number of proposals to the Eurasian economic Commission on the introduction of uniform packaging of cigarettes. In his opinion, it is essential that all packs of cigarettes in Russia are identical in color and size. And the only thing, according to this plan, will be different packs of cigarettes of different brands, is the inscription, made again the same simple font. Accordingly, the long and slim cigarettes will be history.
Common to all color packs offered by MPs, not chosen by chance: according to the results of the focus groups was revealed the unpleasant color — brown-olive.
In addition, legislators intend to require manufacturers to place pictures about the disease from both sides of the packs, increasing their surface area, and the main thing — to ban all additives in cigarettes. They are guided by the principle that if a person
— Chemical analysis of the products shows that there is added substance that enhances the dependence cause obesity when quitting Smoking, cause bronchodilation, masking the unpleasant taste of tobacco smoke, anaesthetize the throat, — says Daria Khalturina.
Executive Director of all-Russian movement for the rights of smokers Andrew rags called the initiative on a standard pack fiction and expressed the opinion that it does not affect the decrease in the number of smokers.
— Question packs are only important when a person makes a choice that he is Smoking — he said “news”. — When he already made a choice, anything you do with this bundle, the result will be the same. The smoker smokes, not because the tutu is beautiful or ugly, and not because someone warns or does not warn about the harm to health, — smoke because life is like that. Not accidentally, in those countries in which life, as they say, is getting better, the number of smokers decreases. And in those countries where life is some tension, the number of smokers is increasing. If you look at the experience of countries that have already passed this way, he shows that in the first time after the ban the number of smokers is declining, but after some time returns to the same level, people find ways around bans.
Another initiative, which is discussed in the lower house, for the increase of excise duties. In 2007, the government decided to increase excise taxes, which had not changed for two decades, to the European level. However, while this was done, collapsed the ruble, and, despite the fact that the excise tax in Russia increased from 4 to 33 rubles per pack, it is still several times less than the European minimum (€1,80).
We stretched the process for 10 years, but if we approached the European level of excise taxes, it would give the same effect, which was achieved in Europe, — told “Izvestia” Deputy Anton Belyakov. — Increase in excise duties is the most effective measure to reduce the number of smokers. But because of inflation we were once again dropped to the level of very low excise duties compared to European. This led to the stop of further effective results from the anti-Smoking measures.
According Darya Halturina, it is about to move to the European standard no later than 2020, and by that time the cost of a pack of cigarettes is projected to average $ 180. According to experts, this will actually double the budget for health care, told Khalturina.
Finally, the third way, which propose to lawmakers: limit retail sales of tobacco. How it looks, can already see the Muscovites in the example of the city, from the streets has removed the stalls. It is not excluded that in the near future, this experience will offer to extend to other major cities.
There is also an increase in age restrictions. At the end of last year Anton Belyakov has submitted to the lower house a bill to ban the sale of tobacco to citizens under the age of 21. According to him, among students, the proportion is 50-70%, and it is in this age people are usually dependent on the environment.
— When a person comes to the University and is where all smoke, go on smoke breaks, going to a bunch, discuss any questions, for him it becomes an opportunity to adapt to the social environment, — said the MP.
According to beliakou, his proposed ban was supported by the social block of the government, but the economic bloc opposed.
They are guided by logic: “How is it that people begin to drink less and smoke, but what about the poor producers, they earn less money!” Or are some does not legally backed by the talk about constitutional rights. No it has no relation to constitutional rights! — outraged the MP.
— In 18 years, a citizen drafted into the army, after which he can sign the contract, ” says the General Director of branch Association “Tabakprom” Vadim Zhelnin. — A contractor may have to participate in the fighting. It turns absurd situation — when to die for the Motherland, and Smoking is still impossible. It is the highest degree of hypocrisy! said Jenin “news”.
