Can I smoke cigarettes in the stairwell of a multi-story residential building? Similar questions are being asked not only by smokers, but also by neighbors who oppose smoking. The law on the protection of citizens' health, which prohibits smoking tobacco products in all public places, has undergone some changes.
According to the amendments, smokers are prohibited from smoking cigarettes in multi-storey buildings.
Key provisions of the anti-tobacco law
Is it possible to smoke cigarettes in the entrances and elevators of residential buildings? The law, which imposes 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.
What are the reasons for adopting the law banning the use of cigarettes in crowded areas?
The impetus for the adoption of anti-tobacco measures at the state level were the terrifying statistics:
- More than 40% of people suffer from nicotine addiction;
- About 400, 000 citizens die each year from the development of cancer and other smoking-related ailments;
- Tobacco smog negatively affects the health of passive smokers, causing cancer.
In relation to the above reasons, the Ministry of Health has proposed to issue a legislative project banning smoking, at least in the territories of spontaneous gatherings of citizens:
- in universities and schools;
- playgrounds and sports fields;
- cafe and hotel;
- airports and railway stations;
- squares and parking lots;
- government agencies and hospitals;
- air and land transport;
- commercial and domestic enterprises;
- work areas and transport stops;
- ports and trains.
Obviously, for an avid smoker, the list of prohibited places suitable for satisfying the nicotine needs is quite extensive. Therefore, from time to time they still violate the law and commit illegal actions, for which they subsequently assume administrative responsibility.
Is it possible to smoke at the entrance of a residential building?
According to the new law on the ban on smoking in public places, it is not possible to use cigarettes in the entrances. The entrance to a residential building is closed to smoke 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-tobacco project specifies the following places in condominiums where smoking is strictly prohibited:
- elevators and basements;
- stairwells and attics;
- technical rooms and corridors.
For non-compliance with the instructions, the smoker will be punished in the form of penalties.
To bring lawbreakers to justice, you need to write a corresponding statement to the police.
Exceptions to the rule
Not in all cases are fines imposed for smoking at the entrance.
Despite the points specified in the anti-tobacco bill, it is still possible to smoke in the entrances of skyscrapers, but only if certain conditions are met:
- the presence of specially designated places for smoking;
- the presence of a ventilation system in the "smoking rooms";
- compliance of the smoking area with fire safety regulations;
- consent of the tenants of a domestic skyscraper to the equipment of the "smoking room" at the entrance.
In all other cases, the smoker is responsible for smoking at the entrance. If the culprit is guilty, he will be punished with a fine.
Penalties for smoking at the entrance
What punishment can an offender face for smoking cigarettes at the entrance to a multi-story residential building?
The law is quite strict and therefore provides very severe material punishments for heavy smokers for:
- the use of cigarettes in the stairs.
- smoking near the playing fields.
- involvement of minors in the smoking process.
In addition, fines are also imposed on officials who are obliged to monitor the implementation of the adopted law.
The protection of public order is entirely the responsibility of the police and their employees impose a fine if this person violates the law on the restriction of smoking and the distribution of tobacco.
How to punish offenders?
How do you punish a smoker who uses tobacco products at the entrance?
If the person is not convinced by your insistent requests to throw the cigarette away, you need to do the following:
- filming the offender's smoking process in the wrong place on a video camera or camera;
- write a statement to the police and provide video and photographic material that confirms the veracity of the testimony;
- provide at least two witnesses who can confirm the veracity of your words and the authenticity of the photographic and video materials.
These measures will be enough to punish a negligent neighbor for failing to comply with the rules set out in the anti-tobacco law.