Russia considering ban on cigarettes

It could become completely illegal to smoke cigarettes in Russia.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports that the The Russian Health Ministry proposed banning cigarette smoking for anyone born after 2014, even after they turn 18. That's the legal age to smoke in Russia.

Some fear the ban could spur a black market, but a Russian Health Ministry spokesperson said almost 400,000 citizens die from smoking related illnesses each year and this proposal is not extreme.

Russia banned smoking in restaurants in 2013.

The full ban on cigarettes would go into effect in 2033.

By Elizabeth Keatinge