You're reading: Yanukovych signs law prohibiting smoking in certain areas

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has signed a law extending the list of places where smoking is prohibited, according to the president's press service.

According to the law, smoking of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and hookahs is banned in elevators, telephone booths, in the premises and on the territory of healthcare facilities, education establishments, at children’s playing grounds, sports facilities, in the halls of blocks of flats, underground passages, on public transport, restaurants, cultural establishments, premises of state agencies and local governments, and at public transport stops.

In addition, smoking of tobacco products is allowed only at special premises of enterprises, establishments and organizations of all forms of ownership, at hotels and similar accommodation facilities, hostels, airports, and railway stations.

According to the law, special premises for smoking must have an area not more than 10% of the general area of the premises, and must be equipped with ventilation or other equipment for the removal of tobacco smoke from the premises.

Infringers of the law on the allocation and equipment of premises for smoking will be fined UAH 1,000 to UAH 10,000.

The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, passed the document on May 24, 2012. A total of 368 of the 422 MPs registered in the sitting hall supported the law.