Moscow to ban smoking in restaurants, pubs by 2014May 5, 2012 - 19:15 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Moscow authorities plan to ban smoking in restaurants and pubs by 2014 and increase penalties for drinking alcohol in public places, according to a draft plan published on the website of the city's department of economic policy and development, RIA Novosti reported. “The ban on smoking in public places will be introduced gradually. In 2012 a total ban on smoking is planned in educational and healthcare facilities, places of culture, state offices and public transportation. In 2013-2014 the ban will be extended to all workplaces, pubs and restaurants,” it said. In addition, 20 percent fewer licenses to sell alcohol will be granted in 2012-2014. It is also expected to increase the fine for drinking alcoholic beverages, including beer, in public places to 1,000 rubles ($33) from 100-300 rubles currently. More adults smoke in Russia than in any other heavy-smoking country in the world, the World Health Organization concluded in a report released last year. Nearly 40 percent of the country's 143-million-strong population were smokers, it said. Smoking-related diseases kill as many as 350,000-500,000 Russians every year, Russian officials say. In 2010, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin approved a government anti-smoking program that aims to reduce the number of adult smokers 25 percent by 2015. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |