Jump to full article: Kathimerini (gr), 2009-04-29
Intro: Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos yesterday launched a six-month campaign to promote the enforcement of severe restrictions on smoking in public places from July 1, as a new study showed that six in 10 Greek smokers back the planned measures.
"With the drafting of a national action plan against smoking, our country has acquired a targeted and strategic policy for the promotion and safeguarding of public health," Avramopoulos told a conference.
The minister stressed that the new restrictions would be enforced strictly but also appealed to citizens to contribute to efforts aimed at bringing Greece into line with European Union standards on curbing the risks posed by passive smoking. He noted that 20,000 Greeks die of smoking-related diseases every year, adding that the habit costs the National Health System 2.14 billion euros annually. . . .
The country's bars and restaurants will be the hardest hit by the measures. Those whose premises are smaller than 70 square meters will have to choose whether to be characterized as exclusively smoking or nonsmoking establishments.
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