Seeing is believing: Greece to ban smoking in 2010 (News Feature)

By Christine Pirovolakis Athens (dpa) - The days of cigarette friendly Greece are about to go up in smoke. The home to Europe's largest population of smokers has just over a year to go before a ban outlaws the habit in all public places, including restaurants, bars and offices, the Greek Health Ministry said Friday. The ministry submitted the bill to Parliament late Thursday. It foresees the adoption of European Union guidelines designed to protect people from passive smoking as of January 1, 2010. 'We feel the Greek people are finally ready,' Health Ministry official Alexis Zorbas, adding Greece to a growing list of European nations like France, Ireland, Spain, Britain and Italy to adopt similar measures. 'This time around the law will be successfully enforced because non-smokers will safeguard their rights for a clean environment.' The new law will have a heavy impact on a nation where nearly 45 per cent of the adult population smokes, and where smoking in offices and cafes is seen as a traditional pastime. The government has already banned smoking in hospitals and taxis and requires restaurant and bar owners to designate smoking and non-smoking areas to safeguard public health. However, the measures have been widely ignored. The Health Ministry has said the new law is aimed at saving the lives of an estimated 6,000 people who die every year from smoking in Greece. Under the new law, smoking will be banned in public places, including all bars and restaurants, offices, hospitals and on all forms of public transport. The restrictions will also apply in all outlets that produce and sell food. According to the new law, there will be designated areas set aside for smokers in offices. The bill also aims to keep minors under the age of 18 from smoking and consuming alcohol by banning their access to bars and clubs. It will also impose a fine of 1,000 euros (1,276 dollars) on the owners and managers of bars and nightclubs that fail to respect the restrictions. Repeat offenders will face fines of up to 20,000 euros and have their licenses revoked. The bill also foresees similar fines for those caught selling cigarettes to minors. Unlike most of the rest of the European Union, Greece has no age limit on the purchase of tobacco, according to the World Health Organization. It is still unclear how Greeks will react when the smoking ban comes into effect. 'This is ridiculous,' said Panagiotis Maravelias, a businessman, puffing on his cigarette outside the literary cafe Mente. 'A complete ban is ridiculous. Sitting with his friends outside Jimmy's Cafe along the popular pedestrian smoke-filled boulevard in downtown Athens, student Yiannis Patritsis said an all-out ban was the only way to get Greeks to stop smoking. 'The Greeks need someone to prohibit them from smoking, otherwise there is no way to get them to give up.' According to a survey published in the Greek daily newspaper Kathimerini, eight in 10 Greeks believe that banning the practice from all public places is not an infringement on personal rights.

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BobNov 7th, 2008 - 13:00:32

Here in Chicago, many small neighborhood bars ignore the nearly year old ban. Anyone who thinks that they can make all bars go smoke free is living in LaLa land. Al Capone is laughing in his grave.

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JasonNov 7th, 2008 - 16:27:23

Well since Greece is going up in a smoking ban why don't they switch to the alternative so they don't have to worry about any bans or smoking laws.

www.Crown7.com

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VasilisMar 25th, 2009 - 09:59:33

In most other parts of the world smoking bans have been effective and are vigorously enforced, in some countries for many years now. The fact that Greece has taken so long to do anything meaningful really says a lot about how backward this country really is.

There is no excuse for exposing other people to someone else's cigarette smoke. Breathing someone else's cigarette smoke is a serious health threat. I mean you can die from it - millions do. No excuse.

Let's hope these bans are effective, for the sake of all the Greeks and tourists who would otherwise slowly die from exposure to this menace. It will also say to the world - see, we Greeks do care about the health of our children and our visitors and we can do something about this.

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EMzJul 21st, 2009 - 03:08:56

Why not smokers well start convincing thereselves to stop smoking. There are many alternatives for this addiction. Stop craving form cigarette and never get back to smoke.

www.quit-smoking.net

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DynamiteJul 21st, 2009 - 03:11:52

Yes, i already click www.quit-smoking-aid.net, you will find a product that will stop smoking. I try this one within two days my craving for cigarettes stops.

Very good system because you can order online and deliver to your home.. you can also use your credit card.

try it guys!

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Seeing is believing: Greece to ban smoking in 2010 (News Feature)

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