MOSCOW, November 12 (RAPSI) – A group of Russian MPs on Monday introduced a bill prohibiting advertisement and propagation of information on techniques and methods of producing new psychoactive substances known as spices in mass media and on the Internet, according to the State Duma database.

Moreover, the bill bans distribution of information concerning the drugs’ sales location and drug-containing cropping areas, an explanatory note to the document reads.

Amendments are proposed to the laws “On Mass Media” and “On Advertisement”.

In 2017, over 20,500 decisions were made on blocking of websites disseminating banned information about drugs upon requests by Russian communications agency Roskomnadzor, about 2 tons of various drugs were withdrawn from illegal commerce, and nearly 660 online drug stores were shut down, the draft law sponsors said citing the Interior Ministry.