MOSCOW – Six months ago, Russia’s ban on smoking in public places went into effect, but that hasn’t put much of a dent in lighting up, the Voice of Russia reports. Currently, more than 60% of Russian males still smoke in public.

Last Friday, the country began fining those who smoke in public. The ban forbids smoking in government buildings, educational and healthcare buildings, sports arenas, on public transportation and in cultural sites. But until last week, there were no consequences for breaking the law.

The fines are on a sliding scale depending on where the infraction occurred. Smoking within 50 feet of a railway station entryway or bus stop will trigger a $16 to $48 fine, while within 50 feet of a playground will bring a $64 to $96 fine. Selling tobacco products to minors will mean a $161 fine.

Part of the disconnect has been that the full ban on lighting up in public won’t kick in until April 2014, so smokers can enjoy a cigarette in restaurants and hotels, and on trains. The co-chair of an anti-tobacco group hailed the introduction of fines as a good thing. “Overall, fines are the most efficient measure. We have seen the increase in fines for unfastened seat belts while driving change the habit, as well as you can see pedestrians cross roads freely now. The same will happen to smokers. These fines should be high enough and people should know clearly where to complain if their right to clean air is violated,” said Kirill Danishevsky.