Golikova says anti-smoking law to be adopted in any case
MOSCOW. Nov 1 (Interfax) - Russian Health and Social Development Minister Tatyana Golikova admitted that a bill radically restricting smoking in Russia has drawn a lot of criticism, but said she is confident that the draft law will be adopted.
"The bill has drawn a lot of debate and criticism, but we will still adopt it in any case," Golikova said in the State Duma on Tuesday. The bill was developed under the WHO convention on the fight against smoking and "promotes a healthy lifestyle," Golikova said.
In mid-October, Kommersant reported that Rusbrend, the National Trade Association, and the Hotels and Restaurants Association had asked the administration not to adopt the anti-smoking bill drawn up by the Health and Social Development Ministry, which restricts the sale of cigarettes to large shops and prohibits smoking in public places.
