MOSCOW, June 13 (Itar-Tass) - Russia’s Defense Minister Gen Sergei Shoigu has issued an order imposing a ban on smoking on the premises of the ministry, Alexander Fisun, the chief of the ministry’s military and health care department, told reporters in Thursday.
“The order was issued in accordance with the federal anti-tobacco law,” he said. “The minister’s order focuses on health protection and aims to restrict considerably smoking in military units.”
“We will do our best to stop smoking on the premises of the Defense Ministry's headquarters, at the headquarters of military districts and other our buildings,” Fisun said.
“Within the framework of the anti-tobacco campaign all smoking-related goods are to be banned from shops located in the territories of military units. We’ll do everything possible to minimize tobacco's hazardous effects,” Fisun said adding that “all civilized countries do not smoke.”
Fisun said there were some countries with free health care where smokers are obliged to pay for certain services. Such measures could be quite appropriate in Russia, he said.
“If you cannot give up smoking, please be so kind and pay for your medical treatment,” he said.