A Voronezh-based lawyer, Evgeny Ermilov, has expressed strong doubts about the practical enforceability of any potential ban on smoking cigarettes and vapes within private apartments in Russia. This comes as discussions arise about extending existing public smoking prohibitions, which have been in place for over 12 years and carry fines of 500 to 1,500 rubles for individuals.
Challenges in Proving and Assigning Responsibility
While acknowledging he personally dislikes cigarette smoke and would welcome such a ban, Ermilov stated, "From a legal point of view, I cannot imagine how this could work." He highlighted the difficulty in proving the source of smoke odors in multi-unit dwellings and identifying the specific individual responsible if multiple people reside in an apartment. Currently, despite strict bans on smoking in common areas like entryways and shared balconies – a frequent cause of complaints – few residents call the police to enforce fines against neighbors. Ermilov noted that while legal mechanisms exist, they require significant effort, including involving other residents for collective complaints, with no guarantee of a positive outcome.
He suggested that more effective measures might include stricter restrictions on tobacco sales to young people and increasing cigarette prices, though he cautioned this could boost the illegal tobacco market. Ermilov also observed that among modern youth, vaping is more fashionable than traditional cigarettes, and vapes still occupy a "gray zone" legally, often perceived as less harmful.
