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Smoking to be banned everywhere

25 February 2010 / 12:02:32  GRReporter
2492 reads

Government discusses the increase in cigarette prices and smoking bans in both restaurants and in bars and cafes, despite the disagreement of their respective owners. The law, which came into effect seven months ago, does not apply anywhere because of lack of control and frivolous attitude towards it. 

Minister of Health Protection Mariliza Xenoyanakopoulou wants to forge a stricter law, focusing on information campaigns against smoking. Soon the new law will be ready, said the Minister of Health. 

Ms. Xenoyanakopoulou stressed that the law which was voted seven months ago is quite problematic, which was confirmed during meetings with social partners. Gaps in the law are relating to conflicts and poor provisions, and it is not executed under the required control. 

The anti-smoking Coordinating Commission proposed lighting cigarettes to be prohibited everywhere. According to the Commission the weak link of the previous law is proven to be exactly those exceptions in some settings where smoking is allowed. The Commission also proposes to increase cigarette prices, which will reduce smoking among children, and will also become strong motive among smokers to decide to quit smoking. 

Owners of restaurants noted that they should not be fined but their clients. In addition, they requested for the current law not to apply in 2010 and the new law to come into effect in 2011. 

Restaurant owners fully approved the proposal to ban smoking completely, while owners of entertainment establishments have asked to be excluded by law. All agree that the law is problematic with regard to its application. One of the difficulties is the permitting of urban services, which are necessary for the separation of such premises for smokers and nonsmokers.

Tags: Smoking ban restaurant bar Greece
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