Consumption
Health consequences
Tobacco industry
International tobacco companies dominate Russia’s cigarette market, holding over 90 percent of the cigarette market share in Russia. In 2008, Japan Tobacco held 37 percent of the market share, followed by Philip Morris International (25 percent), British American Tobacco (20 percent) and Imperial Tobacco Group (9 percent). In Russia, more than 390 million cigarettes were sold in 2008.
FCTC status
Russia ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on June 3, 2008.
Smoke-free environments: In Russia, smoking is completely banned on the metro and buses. Smoking is also banned in other indoor workplaces and public places, however the law allows for these areas to have designated smoking areas/rooms.
Advertising, promotion and sponsorship: Tobacco advertising is banned on television, radio and on outdoor billboards. All other forms of marketing are allowed.
Warning labels: Warning labels are text-only and cover 4 percent of the front of the package. In December 2008, Russia passed a law requiring health warnings on 30 percent of the front and 50 percent of the back of tobacco product packs. However, the law has yet to be implemented.
Tobacco taxes: Cigarettes in Russia are cheap and becoming more affordable over time. Currently Russia has a very low tobacco tax rate, which leads to the loss of government budget income compared to its neighbors. Tobacco taxes in Russia are below the rate recommended by the World Bank (from 65 percent to 80 percent of retail price) that is commonly present in countries with effective tobacco control policies.
Kisses better than smoking -- Russian activists
Xinhua Newswire
08 Jul 2010
Russia adopts smoking kills cigarette warnings
Reuters
26 Jun 2010
Russia to adopt mandatory warning labels on cigarettes
Russian Information Agency Novosti
25 Jun 2010