MOSCOW, February 27 (RAPSI) – Russia’s consumer rights agency Rospotrebnadzor fined violators of anti-tobacco legislation about 124 million rubles ($2.2 million) in 2017, the watchdog reported Tuesday.

In total, 12,600 lawbreakers were fined including about 4,000 citizens, 3,300 sellers, 1,200 businessmen and 2,200 companies. About 1,900 offenders were warned, the statement reads.

Since November 2013, over 64,000 violators including more than 8,000 companies have been subjected to administrative liability, 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.