AKSAKOVO (Moscow Region), June 18 (RAPSI) - The Federal Penitentiary Service plans to separate smokers and non-smokers in prisons and other detention facilities, Valery Trofimov, who heads the service's department for social, psychological and educational work with inmates, told reporters on Tuesday. 

"We will certainly separate smoking and non-smoking suspects, defendants and convicts," he said. "There will be smoking and non-smoking cells in remand centers. At present, smoking is banned in prisons except in designated zones. Smoking elsewhere is a violation of the prison routine."

He said the service is preparing recommendations for relatives of juvenile prisoners, telling them not to send cigarettes. Shops at juvenile correction facilities will not sell cigarettes to underage customers.

President Vladimir Putin signed a law banning smoking in public places and tobacco advertising on February 25.

The law came into force on June 1, 2013, though some provisions will only become effective a year later. These include a ban on smoking at resorts, in long-distance trains, aircraft and long haul ships, on urban and commuter transport, less than 15 meters from the entrance of railway and metro stations and airports. June 1, 2014 will also be the date when smoking will be prohibited in hotels, cafes and restaurants, and on commuter platforms.

Under the law, tobacco companies are prohibited from holding lotteries and sponsoring festivals, and their correspondences with bodies of power are published.

Cigarettes have been removed from public view; stores are only be able to display a list of prices at the tills. The law also bans the sale of electronic cigarettes and naswar tobacco.