MOSCOW, August 26 - RAPSI. A bill restricting the sale of tobacco products will help Russia combat the deadly habit, which is responsible for causing 400,000 deaths per year, Chief Sanitary Inspector Gennady Onishchenko stated on Friday.

Onishchenko observed that the bill will significantly raise average cigarette prices, making them unaffordable to students and other demographic groups. He added that, upon the proposal of the Health Ministry, the bill will also ban the open display of cigarettes in storefronts.

Onishchenko expressed the hope that the new law will help combat covert tobacco advertising and protect teenagers and children.