Categories
· Health/Science
· Tobacco Control
non-USA, by Country
· Spain
· Greece
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Volume 367, Number 9521, 06 May 2006 ; 367:1485-1486 DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68646-7
Jump to full article: The Lancet, 2006-05-05
Author: CI Vardavas a and A Kafatos a
Intro: As stated by Samuel Loewenberg (Feb 11, p 464),1 Greece has one of the highest rates of adult tobacco use worldwide, and the highest rate of adult tobacco use in Europe, even surpassing that of the Spaniards. Epidemiological studies estimate that up to 51% of men and 39% of women in Greece are current smokers.2
The smoking problems of Spain and Greece are very similar since both populations adhere to the classic Mediterranean libertarian ideas of free will and choice of lifestyle. There is thus an inherent loath to comply with any laws that restrict personal freedom. The extent of this problem was depicted in a pan-European health survey that assessed the newly introduced European guidelines on enforced labelling of health warnings on cigarette packages. Remarkably, the Greek male population was the only one in the European Union to regard the warnings as annoying, pointless, and invasive. . . .
if Spain and Greece wish to ban or seriously restrict smoking in public venues, it is imperative that all the loopholes in the existing laws are expunged. Sadly, lobbying against tobacco companies in Greece resembles mortals battling the demigods of Greek mythology.
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