Pregnant Russian women may be fined if they smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol, or even attempt to buy such goods in a store. The idea is incuded in a new draft law prepared by the member of Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg’s region Vladimir Petrov, according to RIA Novosti.
The law that would see pregnant women fined for touching alcohol or cigarettes
As a punishment, the lawmaker suggested a fine of 4,000 to 5000 rubles (US $65-81) as well as a placing the law-breakers under preventative supervision.
An explanatory note to the bill suggests that in case a tobacco or alcohol seller doubts the pregnancy of a woman buying such products, he is required to demand a document signed by her doctor proving that she is not pregnant.
Tobacco and alcohol vendors who do not comply with these requirements should also be fined, the new draft law prescribes.
Imagine how it would work: any woman should constantly carry with her a document from her doctor, which she obviously needs to update often (how frequently? Every month?) to ensure it’s up to date, and show it on demand of any cashier, just like people now are obliged to provide a proof of age when purchasing alcohol. This is such a great idea, we can’t wait for law-makers of St. Petersburg region to make it a reality.
We love how Russian lawmakers treat pregnant women like underage teens. In fact, they should go further. Any man purchasing alcohol or cigarettes should be required to provide a notarized declaration he would not have unprotected sex and is not currently attempting to make his wife pregnant in the coming weeks, because, as we know, it’s also the father’s health that contributes to potential deceases in the offspring.
What do you think?
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I think this is a great idea! Good job Russia! Bring more order, cleanliness and morality to society! Shame and fine the women who drink and smoke while pregnant. America is going further into degeneracy, while Russia is fighting degeneracy! God Bless Holy Russia!
Yay! That was highly needed! I don’t think that would solve all the problems (because women can have more severe health problems than simple addictions, but anyway), but would definetely put some pressure through. The only problem is how to control that, because women can still drink and smoke when noone sees them as they wouldn’t realize how badly it can effect their child… anyway. Really nice crackdown.
I think the idea of fighting smoking and drinking among pregnant women is really good. Many of them don’t understand or don’t want to understand that it could lead to terrible consequences. Nevertheless, the way this law is going to be implemented leaves much to be desired. It’s simply impossible to ask every women for a proof. It will cause lots of troubles, arguments and will simply delay queues in the supermarkets or else. St. Petersburg’s deputies must think over the details.
PrettyMaria, I don’t think it’s ever going to be adopted! 🙂
I think such measures can not solve any problems. They can only create new ones. Is a woman wants to drink alcohol or smoke she will do it without paying attention to any laws. It is just the matter of everyone’s choice. And every person chooses the way to live and take care about his or her health.
Наталья,
I think you are right. Besides, smoking and drinking is harmful not only for pregnant women 😀
I think it’s nonsense! Such a law would never work properly. Free will is for everybody. If a woman does not protect her baby, how can anybody else do it? Besides, she has a right to do it. It is her own choice and her own decision. Don’t make her refuse her life. Even if it is not only her life…
Surely, I agree with the idea, the fine for abusing the law should be much higher, so women would think twice before doing such a purchase. But how can you really control them? What if a man buys that drink or cigarette for her? Don’t forget about the parties where everybody drinks and smokes (note that passive smoking is considered more dangerous). I think every woman, not only pregnant, should understand the idea of the law, because there are no repairing mechanisms in the human ovum, unlike the sperm cells, which are renewed every 3 months.
I’d like to say that it is a good idea. When pregnant women smoke, it is harmful not only for them but for their future children too. As a result, children are born with various diseases. In my view, this draft law will help to avoid such accidents and grow a more healthy generation.
It’s funny. And at the same time it’s sad to see pregnant and young mothers drinking and smoking. And along with the fathers. And it is frustrating that these people give birth to healthy children, and those who did not drink or smoke have sick children. Not always? But very often. When I was pregnant my father asked me to buy him cigarettes? I felt ashamed.
How can they control what a pregnant woman is doing ? Those who want to smoke or to drink alcohol will find an opportunity to do it anyway, somebody will buy cigarets or beverages for them. But they are unconscious and highly egoistic. I have seen many women who smoked and then had an asthmatic child.
Я тоже жду маленькое чудо, уже 7-мь месяцев и могу сказать что я бы по моральным и нравственным качествам не взяла эту гадость в рот. Что не могу сказать об остальных, когда идешь по улице и стоит пыхтит дама еще и запивая все это дело пивом…..фуууу. С одной стороны это правильно, но с другой это выбор каждого человека и никакие штрафы не помогут это исправить!