MOSCOW, October 17 (RIA Novosti) – The head of the secretariat of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) on Friday positively assessed Russia's effort to eradicate the country's smoking habit.
"The Russian government is very committed. … They are already observing a reduction in smoke preference in the country," Dr. Vera Luiza da Costa e Silva, WHO FCTC secretariat chief told reporters.
"I understand that there were some aspects on the recent law that started to be implemented now in July, and the Russian government [is] open in the enforcement of this provision at this point in time," Silva said, referring to the anti-tobacco law that was adopted in Russia in February 2013.
Russia's ban on smoking in public came into force on June 1, making it illegal to smoke cigarettes in cafes and restaurants. Moreover, the law prohibits smoking in hotels, marketplaces, train stations as well as on long distance trains and ships.
From October 13 to October 18 parties to the WHO FCTC are holding a summit in Moscow. The meeting focuses on the regulation of electronic cigarettes. WHO released a report in August stating that electronic cigarettes may be harmful and might eventually lead to nicotine addiction and tobacco smoking. The report triggered fierce debate, with some experts claiming electronic cigarettes should only be assessed in relation to the known harms of cigarettes.
