Tobacco.org

• Albania to ban smoking in public spaces 

Government of Albania approved recently a draft-law to bank smoking in public areas like bars and restaurants, Prime Minister's office announced. The law is intended to lower the number of smokers in a country that is known for one of the highest rate of smokers in Europe.

Current legislation forbids smoking in public offices, schools and hospitals but not in bars or restaurants. . . .

The former government had "forgotten" this draft-law for several years, while last year anti-tobacco NGO's had accused the tobaccos industry for corrupting the government.

Former Prime Minister, Fatos Nano, was known for his smoking habits. Meanwhile, the new Prime Minister, Sali Berisha, proclaiming himself a penitent smoker has approved an even harder draft-law to ban smoking.

Meanwhile, on a separate legislation last week, Albanian Parliament approved a hike of the excise duty for tobacco and coffee.

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