Moscow government has decided to pace a ban on smoking in restaurants as well as pubs by the next two years.

A draft plan released on the city's department of economic plan and development's internet site has disclosed.

It stated, "The ban on smoking in public places will be introduced gradually. In 2012, a total ban on smoking is planned in educational and healthcare facilities, places of culture, state offices and public transportation. In 2013-2014 the ban will be extended to all workplaces, pubs and restaurants,".

Besides, 20% fewer licences to sell alcoholic beverages will be allowed during 2012-2014.

It is also likely to augment the fine for consuming alcoholic beverages, comprising beer, publicly to 1,000 rubles as against 100-300 rubles at this time.

More adults smoke in Russia than in any other heavy-smoking nation in the world, according to the World Health Organisation report released last year.

Around 40% of the nation's 143-million-strong inhabitants were tobacco users.

Officials said that smoking linked illnesses kill around 350,000-500,000 Russians each year.

In the year 2010, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had sanctioned an administrative anti-smoking agenda that intends to lessen the number of adult smokers 25% by the year 2015.