‘We received 68 complaints regarding violations of the federal legislation on advertising in 2006. Our experts revealed 160 such instances themselves; they also dealt with 70 cases and issued 15 orders,’ Head of the Russian Federation Federal Antimonopoly Service in Sverdlovsk Region Tatiana Kolpakova announced at the press conference today.

‘I had a feeling that the local admen ignored the new advertising law,’ Ms Kolpakova said.

Starting January 1, 2007, it is no longer legal to deal in outdoor advertising of tobacco or alcohol, including any kind of transport, even cars. Federal Antimonopoly Service in Sverdlovsk Region is also hoping to remove gambling ads from the streets this year.