The Russian government wants to ban smoking in public places as well as the advertising for tobacco products within the next five years.
On Monday, the government revealed in a policy statement on its website that it will introduce a total ban on advertising and the promotion of cigarettes as early as 2011, reports AFP.
A complete smoking ban is planned in hospitals, sports facilities and cultural institutions and other public places from 2015.
Tobacco advertising was banned on radio and television in 1996 but is prevalent in magazines, in the metro, airports and rail stations. Smoking is permitted in most bars and restaurants, which also sell cigarettes. In June, Russia introduced text health warnings that cover at least 30 per cent of cigarette packs.
Russia in 2008 ratified the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. (pi)