The state of Lower Saxony in Germany has expanded its existing smoking ban in public places to include e-cigarettes (vapes) and the vaporization of cannabis. The state parliament approved the legislative amendment, proposed by the ruling SPD and Green parties, with support from the CDU. The AfD party abstained from the vote.
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Smoking on shared apartment building balconies in Russia can result in fines ranging from 500 to 1,500 rubles, according to Sergey Kolunov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Construction, Housing and Communal Services. He emphasized that the ban on smoking in common areas of residential buildings, such as elevators and stairwells, also extends to these shared balconies.
Common Area Smoking Ban Includes Balconies, Hookahs
Kolunov noted that residents might mistakenly believe shared balconies are separate from common подъезд (entrance hall/stairwell) areas, but this is incorrect. The restrictions apply equally to smoking hookahs in these locations. Furthermore, if smoke from an individual’s private apartment balcony causes discomfort to neighbors, they are entitled to contact the police. This advice aligns with legal expert Alexander Karabanov, who previously suggested calling the police for neighbors smoking on balconies, citing both discomfort and fire safety concerns. The Russian government is also reportedly evaluating a bill to increase fines for smoking near schools.
- News source: Россиянам рассказали о штрафах за курение на балконе
City Council Unanimously Votes to Expand Restrictions; Fines and Misdemeanor Charges Possible
Beachgoers in Jacksonville, Florida, will no longer be able to smoke or vape on the sand. The City Council voted unanimously on Monday, May 5, to ban all forms of smoking, explicitly including electronic cigarettes and vaping products, on its beaches. The ban took effect immediately.
Read moreHong Kong is set to tighten its tobacco control laws with a new amendment bill introduced on April 25, 2025. Key proposals target travelers bringing cigarettes and expand public no-smoking areas.
Read moreA new report warns that Labour leader Keir Starmer’s proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill could result in the closure of approximately 7,700 corner shops and off licences, impacting 70,000 jobs across the UK.
Read moreThe Maldives cabinet has decided to implement a generational tobacco ban for individuals born on or after January 1, 2007. Under this ban, the sale, purchase, and use of tobacco will be prohibited for those falling under this age category. The ban is set to come into effect on November 1, 2025, following a six-month period allocated for enforcement authorities to revise existing regulations in line with the amended law.
Read moreThe Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ICAST) is intensifying its efforts to enforce the city’s Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance, ensuring stricter compliance in public areas, streets, and schools. The ordinance also bans tobacco advertising, promotions, and sponsorships within the city.
Read moreMexico City is taking a stand against tobacco and vaping consumption, recognizing the serious public health threat these products pose to its residents. The Ministry of Health (Sedesa) has been working tirelessly to eradicate the sale and use of these harmful substances through targeted health strategies in establishments that promote their sale.
Read moreSmoking while driving is a habit many find hard to quit, but it could soon become a costly one in Germany. Experts are calling for a strict ban on smoking in cars when children or pregnant women are present, with proposed fines of up to €3,000 (approximately $3,500 USD) for violators.
Read moreThe State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, has rejected a bill that proposed banning smoking at public transport stops and near building entrances during a plenary session, according to TASS news agency.
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