On 16 December, Ukraine enacted an indoor smoking ban in public places, including cafes, bars and restaurants. Under a Bloomberg Initiative grant, The Union began working with with the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre Ukraine in October 2012 to ensure successful enforcement of the legislation.

On 1 June 2012, a revised law went into effect in Bulgaria that bans smoking in all enclosed public spaces. This is a considerable achievement given that a complete smoking ban was originally passed in 2009, only to be repealed in 2010 due to tobacco industry interests within the incumbent government.

The Union’s Leadership and Management Course held in Moscow from 28 February to 3 March 2012 highlighted the importance of tobacco control programmes and their impact on the development of national and regional policies.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development (MoH) is planning to submit the draft legislation “On Protection of Health of Citizens against Harmful Effects of Tobacco Consumption” to the Government of the Russian Federation in December. The legislation addresses all World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) requirements, including provisions on tax increases, advertising bans, smokefree places, graphic health warning labels, cessation services and public education activities.