Russia has taken a step closer toward enacting strict new tobacco prohibitions that set most public places off limits to smokers.
The new rules would also double taxes on cigarettes, Radio Free Europe reports.
The State Duma voted 442-1, with one abstaining, to send the legislation to its third reading. Following that, the bill then has to meet the approval of the Federation Council and President Vladimir Putin.
Bill sponsors say the measure is aimed at protecting citizens from tobacco’s health risks.
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Cheryl Chumley is a continuous news writer for The Washington Times. Previously, she was part of the start-up team for The Washington Times’ digital aggregation product, Times247. She’s also a 2008-2009 Robert Novak journalism fellow with The Phillips Foundation. She can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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