Russia set to ban all tobacco advertising

Russia’s prime minister Dmitry Medvedev has called for a ban on all tobacco advertising.

The World Health Organisation says that more adults smoke in Russia than in any other country – 44 million people, or some 40% of Russia’s population.

Medvedev posted a video on his blog today, listing the dismal statistics and saying that Russia has no choice but to clamp down on smoking.

The government will consider a bill soon that envisages a ban on tobacco ads and imposes a phased ban on smoking in public.