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Greece Bids To Stamp Out Smoking In Public With New Law

ATHENS (AFP)--Greece, Europe's heaviest-smoking nation, will introduce a tobacco ban in public places on July 1, its third attempt in a decade to stamp out the country's love affair with cigarettes.

However, critics fear loopholes in the legislation and its unpopularity mean it could prove just as ineffective as previous antismoking bids.

About 20,000 Greeks die each year from tobacco-related ailments, and 42% of the population smokes, according to the country's health minister, Dimitris Avramopoulos.

Greece lags behind many of its European peers who have outlawed smoking in public places in recent years.

However, Avramopoulos is convinced Greece can now catch up, declaring: "The moment of truth has arrived, this ban aims to bring a change that will revolutionize people's outlook."

Two previous antismoking laws introduced in 2002 and 2003 had no real effect, but the minister said the new legislation would be "applied strictly without yielding to any sort of pressure."

The measures, which come into effect Wednesday, aim to fill in gaps left by the previous laws, which focused on creating smoking areas.

Under the new legislation, smoking will be banned in hospitals, schools, in vehicles and in all public spaces.

Huge billboards advertising cigarette brands will also disappear from city centers and roadsides, as the new rules ban tobacco advertising.

After a last-minute amendment to the law, companies with more than 50 employees will be able to set up dedicated smoking areas on their premises.

The ban doesn't apply to all cafes and bars, however. Premises over 70 square meters will be allowed to create small smoking areas, as long as they remain " totally separate."

The new law hasn't been greeted with enthusiasm.

"It is a racist and fascist law. Why does such a thing need to be done in Europe?" asked Antigone Mantziou, a 30-year-old student, sitting with a friend in an Athens cafe in front of an overflowing ashtray.

Alexis Zorbas, who leads the health ministry antismoking campaign, aims to reassure businesses with the promise the new legislation would be applied " gradually."

"Over the summer, outside tables will allow us to start off gently, and we will work with local authorities to accomplish the task," he added.

The health ministry has already hired more than 50 inspectors. Smokers breaking the rules face fines up to EUR500 ($706), and bar owners face fines up to EUR2,000.

  (END) Dow Jones Newswires
  06-29-092232ET
  Copyright (c) 2009 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.