The new edition of the law on advertising has been given its second, most important, reading and got approval in the Russian duma.

The law imposes a ban on tobacco billboards and any show of smoking in ads. Tougher restrictions are imposed on use of minors’ images in tobacco and alcohol ads. The surface of a cigarette pack allotted for health warnings is to be increased from five to ten per cent. The law has taken effect as of 1 January 2006, with a transition one-year period given for the gradual curtailing of tobacco billboards. However, the bill has still to pass the third reading in the lower chamber, and then get approval of the senate and president.  According to market survey agencies, today the annual value of outdoor tobacco advertising in Russia exceeds US$ 60 million. (vt)