The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine intends to strengthen the fight against tobacco smoking. 241 deputies voted for the adoption in the first reading of bill No. 6328 "On the Prevention of the Consumption of Tobacco Products and Their Harmful Effects on Public Health," developed by Rada deputy Mykola Polishchuk from the "Our Ukraine" faction, with 226 required, according to "Ukrainian News."\n\n \nThe bill provides for a ban on the production, import, and sale in Ukraine of tobacco products in which the nicotine content exceeds 1.3 milligrams and tar - 15 milligrams, and whose packaging lacks a medical warning about the consequences of tobacco consumption. The bill also provides for a ban on the production, import, and sale in Ukraine of tobacco products whose packaging contains inscriptions, signs, or images that could mislead consumers regarding the harmful consequences of tobacco consumption, in particular such characteristics as "light," "ultra-light," and others. The bill proposes to ban the inclusion of cigarettes in humanitarian aid, as well as financing and providing benefits at the expense of the budget to tobacco product manufacturers and companies that sell them. \n\n \nThe bill assumes that each package of tobacco products must bear the main medical warning "smoking causes cardiovascular disease and lung cancer" and 6 additional medical warnings about the harm of smoking. At the same time, the main medical warning and 6 additional ones must occupy no less than 30% of the area of the outer surface of the larger side of the package, and information about the nicotine and tar content is placed on the outer surface of the smaller side of the package and must occupy no less than 30% of its area. \n\n \nThe bill also bans smoking in workplaces and public places, except in specially designated areas. According to the bill, advertising of tobacco products is banned on radio, television, in print publications intended for children, in cinemas and theaters, as well as outdoor advertising. The bill also provides for liability for violating legislation on the prevention of the fight against tobacco consumption. \n\n \nRecall that in January, cigarette production decreased compared to December 2004 by 14.5%, or by 1.365 billion units to 8.080 billion units. In 2004, cigarette output amounted to 108.946 billion units, which is 12.6%, or 12.170 billion units more than in 2003. There are 15 enterprises producing tobacco products operating on the Ukrainian market. Experts estimate the capacity of the tobacco market at 85-90 billion cigarettes per year.