Big-smoking Greece imposes smoking ban

3 July 2009

A public smoking ban has come into force in Greece Europe’s biggest smoking nation makes an effort to cut back on its tobacco use.

Unrestricted smoking in workplaces, restaurants, bars and coffee shops is now illegal, but on Friday the Greek health minister, Dimitris Avramopoulos, announced a series of exemptions on Friday after the government came under pressure. Businesses employing more than 50 people will be allowed to maintain designated smoking rooms.

It is unclear how the regulations will work, but small cafes, restaurants and bars will also be allowed to designate themselves as exclusively smoking environments. The City of Athens has reportedly already received 400 applications from establishments below the 70 sq m ceiling who wish to claim the new status.  Casinos will also be exempt.

It is the third ban that Greece has tried to impose in the last decade.

Avramopoulos said: “"We want to change the mentality of many years and adapt our daily habits to the practices in effect in all civilized countries. Greek society is ready for this."

According to Greek website Express, he also said: “It is a deep change that will decisively contribute to the public health protection. There are conflicts and reactions by minorities. We will even be attacked by strong financial interests. I have to make it clear that we will not succumb to pressures”.

The latest European Union figures show that 37.6 per cent of Greeks over the age of 15 smoke every day, the highest proportion in any EU member state. Around 20,000 Greek smokers die every year from smoking-related illnesses, with another 700 dying from the results of passive smoke inhalation.

The minimum fine for people defying the ban is €50, but the owners of bars, restaurants and coffee shops caught flouting the law could be forced to pay up to €20,000.