Ukraine - enforcement of smoking ban, 28,000 people fined..

July 28, 2009 - Since the start of the current year (2009), 28,000 people have been fined for smoking in no-smoking places, which is 20% up year-over-year.

The Department of Public Relations and International Activities at Ukraine's Interior Ministry reported that in 2008 38,000 protocols were filled up for violation of a ban on smoking. In 2005 the Ukrainian parliament introduced a law requiring public establishments such as bars, cafes and restaurants to provide a non-smoking area. Bar and restaurant owners face fines of up to $10,000 if they fail to provide non-smoking areas in at least half of their establishments.

The law on amendments to the law on measures to prevent and cut tobacco consumption and their harmful influence on public's health signed by Ukrainian President Viktor Yuschenko, violators are people, who move with lit cigarettes or pipes in healthcare, educational, sports and cultural objects, passenger waiting rooms at railway, bus stations and airport buildings, trains, taxi, public transport, elevators and playgrounds.

Fines amount for 3-10 non-taxable minimum incomes of citizens (from UAH 51 to UAH 171), and in case of repeated fining - for up to 20 non-taxable minimum incomes (up to UAH 340).

More - Tobacco in the Ukraine. The epidemiology of smoking in Ukraine - 2000 by Dr. Anna Gilmore.

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Ukrainian: Верховна Рада України; English: Supreme Council of Ukraine) is Ukraine's parliament.

Reference: Ukrainian authorities fine 26,000 smokers in first half of 2009 for smoking in no-smoking places, KyivPost.com, 7/25/2009.

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Click on image to enlarge, Ukranian Coat-of-Arms..