Jump to full article: Earth Times, 2009-06-11
Author: Author : DPA
Intro: 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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