Tobacco.org

Greeks, Europe’s Heaviest Smokers, Try New Ban on Smoking 

As of today, smoking is banned in all indoor public areas in Greece, including airports, taxis and buses. Cafes, restaurants and bars in establishments of less than 70 square meters must opt to be either smoking or non-smoking venues, while larger establishments must provide restricted ventilated smoking areas.

“Despite all the preparation, the information, the talks, this is the hard part,” Dimitris Avramopoulos, the health minister, told reporters on June 25. “We will show -- demolishing a myth that exists in Greece -- that the country can adopt laws that are applied and applied by all.”

Greece has been passing laws to restrict smoking since 1856 and most recently in 2002. Still, 42 percent of Greeks are smokers, the highest rate in the European Union, partly because laws aren’t applied. Avramopoulos has announced a squad of inspectors to enforce the rules; smokers breaking the laws face fines of up to 500 euros, while proprietors may pay as much as 2,000 euros.

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Greece's third try at smoking ban gets underway 

Greece introduced a ban on smoking in public places on Wednesday - its third attempt in a decade to stamp out the habit in the country considered one of the last bastions of smoking in the European Union.

Anyone caught lighting up will now be subject to a 1,000 euros (1,400 dollars) fine, whilst establishments that do not comply with the new regulations risk losing licences.

Britain, Ireland, France, Germany and other EU states have already introduced public smoking bans.

But, considering Greece's patchy track record for implementing new laws, there seems to be no guarantee the new law, with allows for some loopholes and is unpopular with the public, will succeed.

Similar laws introduced in 2002 and 2003 went largely unheeded in a country where nearly 45 per cent of adults smoke and where puffing on cigarettes in offices and cafes is seen as a traditional pastime.

'In Greece we are used to saying that laws are passed but not enforced,' Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos said.

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Athens Newspaper Headlines 



 ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Greece without cigarettes! Prohibition of smoking in enclosed spaces, public services, etc. as of today (Wednesday, July 1)".




 ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "The smoke lights fires - General ban until the public spaces, companies and shops adapt".

 


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Smoking controls come into effect 

Cafes and restaurants yesterday scrambled to prepare for the introduction of European Union-dictated smoking restrictions as the Health Ministry issued the official decision explaining their obligations at the eleventh hour.

The ministry circulated the text of the decision to all municipal and prefectural authorities which have been deluged with queries from owners of bars and nightspots unclear about the changes they need to make to their premises. Ministry officials also announced the creation of a team of inspectors whose responsibility it will be to patrol bars and restaurants and determine whether the new smoking restrictions are being adhered to or not.

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Heavy-smoking Greece tries to kick the habit with ban 

Greeks were banned from smoking at work and inside bars and restaurants on Wednesday, but many question how the measure will work in Europe's heaviest smoking nation.

Terraces in central Athens filled up with smoking clients as tobacco is still allowed outside, and there was confusion over how the law will be applied indoors.

More than 3,000 bloggers joined an anti-ban Facebook group. "Guys don't worry, even police officers smoke here, no one will follow this law," one message said ">here

But Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos said the ban will work, contrary to past failed attempts. "Today Greece turns the page," he told Greek media.

"It's the first time that this measure will be implemented, to end the myth that we make laws that we don't respect."

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Greece acts to stub out smoking 

Greece has introduced a ban on smoking in hospitals, schools, vehicles and all public places.

Those who break the new law face fines of up to 500 euros (£428), and businesses risk losing licences after several offences.

Greece is the EU's heaviest-smoking nation - 40% of the population smokes.

But defying the authorities is a national sport and there is no guarantee the ban will succeed, a BBC correspondent in Athens says.

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O'HARA: The big fat Greek smoking ban scam 

But reality is different: many Greeks will have smoked since their teens. They might hate the habit but they can’t kick it. For now, the climate is on their side because until October few Greeks will be indoors. Drive along the motorways and from the front seats arms loll out windows with cigarettes between nicotine-stained hands while kids play on the back seats. Look at the hospital balconies and nurses chat to patients on drips while they both light up.

Unlike many places, smoking is still socially acceptable. If you want to make friends here, the best way is to offer someone a fag. Last week at a formal dinner the man next to me, without asking, lit a large cigarillo in the middle of the main course. The woman next to him was about six months pregnant. He was a charming man, educated. He saw the disapproving scowl on my face.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” he said with an apologetic smile, “How rude of me…” and leaning over the table he opened the packet towards me, “Would you like one?”

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Greece fires up anti-smoking ban amid confusion 

Wielding high fines, Greece's health ministry on Wednesday launched a nationwide smoking ban -- the third this decade -- in a bid to eliminate the habit in Europe's most nicotine-addicted nation.

As a 2008 law banning smoking in public places officially came into effect, Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos proudly spoke of a "new era".

"The curtain has risen on a new era, as of today establishments are smoke-free and nobody will smoke anywhere," he told state television NET.

"In the end, we will join the ranks of civilised nations," he said. "What are we, the idiots of Europe?".

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In the end, we will join the ranks of civilised nations. What are we, the idiots of Europe?
Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, on Greece's smoking ban.

• In pictures: Greece smoking ban 

However, following a last-minute amendment to the law, thousands of restaurants and bars over 70 sq m (750 sq ft) will be able to build sealed-off smoking areas, as long as they remain "totally separate".

And smaller restaurants, like this one, can choose to ban non-smokers instead.

Smoking has long been ingrained in Greek culture. Actress, singer and later Greek Culture Minister Melina Mercouri was often pictured with a cigarette.

Aristotle Onassis, pictured here with Maria Callas, was also a famous smoker.

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Greece Bids To Stamp Out Smoking In Public With New Law 

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."

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Traders still in dark on smoking ban facts 

Just one day before Greece is due to introduce strict regulations to crack down on smoking in public places, in line with European Union law, the Health Ministry yesterday still had not issued the official decision explaining the obligations of bars and restaurants.

Mayors and prefects said they had received dozens of queries from traders regarding the necessary changes to their premises and possible changes to their operating licenses. Without a ministerial decision, local authorities say they cannot give traders clear answers to queries.

Speaking to Kathimerini, a high-ranking source at the ministry said the decision in question was due to be made public today.

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• Last-minute reprieve for offices ahead of Greek smoking ban 

Greece's health minister Friday announced last- minute exemptions for some offices and casinos, ahead of a public smoking ban to due come into force next week. The Greeks are considered one of the last bastions of smoking in the EU, and the proposed ban has already run into considerable opposition.

Initially, minister Dimitris Avramopoulos had said authorities will enforce without exception smoking restrictions in public places, including offices, restaurants and bars as of July 1.

But with less than a week to go Avramopoulos announced eleventh- hour exceptions regarding offices and casinos.

All offices employing more than 50 people will have the right to maintain designated smoking rooms.

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希腊将于7月1日执行公共场所室内禁烟令 

中新网6月24日电 据路透社报道，欧洲烟民比率最高的国家--希腊计划在7月1日开始执行公共场所的室内禁烟令，但许多人质疑这项禁令是否能真正生效。

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• Greece to attempt indoor smoking ban  

Greece, Europe's heaviest smoking nation, will try to kick the habit by banning tobacco in indoor public places beginning July 1, but many doubt the ban will work.

Greece breaks all European records with more than 40 percent of the population smoking and six out of 10 being exposed to smoking at work, according to a European Union poll.

"We can't take it anymore. Where I work there are so many smokers,'' said Elisavet Vasileiadou, 55, a shoe-store employee in central Athens. "I hope the ban will be implemented for the sake of our health, but I think it will be difficult. It's not easy to tame Greeks, they'll find a way out.''

Greece has tried to ban smoking in hospitals and offices and requires restaurant and bar owners to designate smoking areas, but the measures have so far been widely ignored.

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• Cigarette loving Greeks banned from smoking in the workplace  

The days of cigarette friendly Greece are about to go up in smoke as the government announced a ban against smoking in the workplace to take effect starting July 1. 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.

Greece, one of Europe's heaviest smoking nations, had initially allowed for designated smoking rooms to be set aside in state and private businesses under the new law, but the minister of health ruled that option out on Thursday.

"As of July 1 no smoking will be allowed anywhere in the workplace," said Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos.

He said the government will only pass a partial ban for restaurants and bars, saying smaller establishements will become strictly non-smoking but larger businesses were allowed to designate smoking and non-smoking areas.

Under the new law, smoking will be banned in other public places such as schools, universities, state offices, hospitals and on all forms of public transport.

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