Tobacco.org

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."

Jump to full article »