Russian smoking ban goes into effect on June 1 (BBC News)
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A law signed by President Vladimir Putin in February to protect public health by banning smoking in some indoor places takes effect on June 1, 2013. The Russian smoking rate is amoung the highest in the world at about 40% if the population.
The law covers workplaces, housing block stairwells, buses and commuter trains, and within 15m of train stations and airports. In 2014, the law is set to extend to restaurants, bars, ships and trains. Read a May 31, 2013 BBC News article about the Russian ban.