November 1, 2011

As shown by opinion poll, more than 80 percent of Russians approve of the initiative to appear on cigarette packs frightening images. The ban on laying open cigarettes   showcases supported by more than 30 percent of smokers and 70 percent non-smoking population.

Expert community at the last Council approved a new law regulating the sale of tobacco products. Natalia Kostenko said in his report that Russia - one of the most smoking countries in the world, while tax rates on tobacco in our country are among the lowest. That is why it is planned to increase the excise rates, and with such a decision agreed about 70 percent of the surveyed population.

To reduce the demand for cigarettes government plans to gradually increase taxes on the relevant products, set minimum prices, as well as to enable governments to regulate prices.

The question of the application to the frightening images of cigarette packs up for a long time, but only now it may be pretending to be a reality. Minister Tatyana Golikova explained that to date there is the possibility of placing images depicting the disease of smokers, but its implementation requires some time. The same situation occurred with inscriptions in packs: since the signing of the international treaty before the introduction of the mandatory requirements has been almost three years.

International experience shows, a demonstration of the shocking images helps to significantly reduce the demand for tobacco products. To date, experts performing such an initiative, suggested that may have to introduce a norm on the quality and size of images to be placed on packs.

In addition to this method of smoking cessation, some countries have resorted to more radical. For example, not all doctors agree anlgiyskie operate smokers, citing the fact that the healing process and recovery from them takes longer than non-smokers, and connected with it certain risks.