Can I smoke cigarettes in the stairwell of a multi-story residential building? Similar questions are asked not only by smokers, but also by neighbors who oppose smoking. The Law on the Protection of the Health of Citizens, which prohibits the smoking of tobacco products in all public places, has undergone some changes.
According to the changes, smokers are prohibited from smoking cigarettes in multi-storey buildings.
Key provisions of the anti-smoking law
Is it possible to smoke cigarettes in the entrances and elevators of residential buildings? The law, which places restrictions on smoking in public places, aims to protect the rights of non-smokers. Smog from cigarette tobacco negatively affects the health of people who do not suffer from nicotine addiction.
Why was the law banning smoking in overcrowded areas passed?
The impetus for adopting state-level anti-smoking measures were the gruesome statistics:
- More than 40% of people suffer from nicotine addiction;
- About 400, 000 citizens die each year due to the development of cancer and other diseases associated with smoking;
- Smog from tobacco negatively affects the health of passive smokers, causing cancer.
In connection with the above reasons, the Ministry of Health has proposed to enact a bill prohibiting smoking, at least in the territories of spontaneous gatherings of citizens:
- in universities and schools;
- playgrounds and sports fields;
- cafes and hotels;
- airports and train stations;
- traffic areas and parking lots;
- government agencies and hospitals;
- air and land transport;
- commercial and family businesses;
- work areas and transport stops;
- seaports and trains.
Obviously, for a heavy smoker, the list of prohibited places suitable for satisfying nicotine needs is quite long. Therefore, from time to time, they still break the law and commit illegal actions, for which they then take administrative responsibility.
Is it possible to smoke at the entrance of a residential building?
According to the new law on the prohibition of smoking in public places, you cannot use cigarettes in the entrances. The entrance to a residential building is closed to smokers due to the lack of a ventilation system. It is for this reason that the use of tobacco products on stairs and steps is prohibited.
To protect the health of citizens who do not suffer from nicotine addiction, the anti-smoking project specifies the following places in apartment buildings where smoking is strictly prohibited:
- elevators and basements;
- stairwells and attics;
- technical rooms and corridors.
In the event of non-compliance with the instructions, the smoker will be penalized in the form of penalties.
To bring law breakers to justice, you need to write a corresponding statement to the police.
Exceptions to the rule
Fines for smoking at the entrance are not imposed in all cases.
Despite the points specified in the anti-smoking law, smoking in the entrances of high-rise buildings is still possible, but only if certain conditions are met:
- the presence of places specially designated for smoking;
- the presence of a ventilation system in the "smoking rooms";
- compliance of the smoking area with fire safety standards;
- consent of tenants of a high-rise building to equip the "smoking room" at the entrance.
In all other cases, the smoker is responsible for smoking in the lobby. If the offender is guilty, he will be punished with a fine.
Penalties for smoking at the entrance
What sanction can an offender incur for having smoked cigarettes at the entrance of a multi-storey residential building?
The law is quite strict and therefore provides for very severe material penalties for persistent smokers for:
- the use of cigarettes in the stairwells.
- smoke near playgrounds.
- the involvement of minors in the smoking process.
In addition, fines are also imposed on officials who are required to monitor the implementation of the adopted law.
The protection of public order is entirely the responsibility of the police, and a fine is imposed by its employees if this individual violates the law on the restriction of tobacco use and distribution of tobacco.
How to punish offenders?
How to punish a smoker who uses tobacco products at the entrance?
If the person is not convinced by your insistent demands to throw out the cigarette, you should do the following:
- filming the offender's smoking process in the wrong place with a video camera or camera;
- write a statement to the police and provide video and photographic material confirming the veracity of the testimony;
- provide at least two witnesses who could confirm the veracity of your words and the authenticity of the photo and video documents.
These measures will be enough to sanction a negligent neighbor for non-compliance with the rules prescribed by the anti-smoking law.