MOSCOW, July 26 (RAPSI) – Russia’s consumer rights agency Rospotrebnadzor imposed fines worth 60 million rubles ($1 million) for violations of anti-tobacco legislation in the first half of 2017, the watchdog announced on Wednesday.

In total 6,700 violators were fined including about 2,000 citizens, 1,700 sellers, 700 businessmen and 1,000 companies, the statement reads.

Since November 2013, about 58,000 violators have been subjected to administrative liability including 7,000 companies, according to Rospotrebnadzor.

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.