MOSCOW, November 29 (RAPSI) – The State Duma lawmaker Boris Chernyshov (LDPR) has drafted a bill that would prohibit vape smoking in pedestrian and promenade areas including parks and cycle zones, RIA Novosti reported Tuesday.

The bill also stipulates ban on selling electronic cigarettes to minors.

Vapes became popular in Russia especially among young people following a clampdown on smoking in public spaces.

The antismoking law, which bans smoking in public, in particular in government buildings, healthcare and educational facilities, at cultural sites and sports facilities and on public transport, including railway stations and airports, was adopted in 2013 to protect public health from the hazardous effects of tobacco smoke and smoking.

The law provides for a staged introduction of antismoking measures, first banning smoking at stadiums, in schools, universities, hospitals and stores, at children’s playgrounds, as well as in lifts, on airplanes and at filling stations. It also banned tobacco advertizing and commercials.

The legislation became effective on June 1, 2013. It also prohibits the display of tobacco products at the point of sale in stores and smoking scenes on screen and on stage. Social anti-tobacco ads must accompany the broadcasting of old films that include smoking scenes.

Vape using is not subject to these restrictions.

Chernyshov in his bill proposes to develop technical regulations for vapes because steam ingredients must conform with certain standards and not contain carcinogens and harmful substances. The lawmaker hopes that the legislation will become effective after the expiry of three months from the date of its adoption.

In September, Gennady Onishchenko, ex-chief of the health and consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, pitched an idea about the need of vape ban. Later, he said that the legislation equating vapes and cigarettes must be adopted. In early November, the Moscow City Duma passed a resolution restricting sales and use of devices imitating smoking.