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.
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