Smoking ban for Greece
Smoking ban for Greece
Greece will impose a smoking ban from July. This will be the country's third attempt in ten years to ban smoking.
As of July 1, owners letting out their
villas in Greece will have to inform guests of the new rules. Tourists will have to use sealed off smoking areas if they want to light up in bars and restaurants - the new legislation will apply to establishments over 70 square metres, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Smaller premises must opt to either accept smokers or completely ban tobacco. Should the bars and restaurants choose to ban smoking, anyone found to be having a cigarette illegally will face a fine of up to 500 euros (£425).
Legislation was passed in 2002 and 2003 that outlawed smoking in public spaces, but was largely ignored. However, Greece's health minister, Dimitris Avramopoulos, feels the smoking ban will be well received this time: "Our society is more ready than ever to embrace this."
Avramopoulos hopes that the nation's attitude towards smoking will soon change. "In Greece we are used to saying that laws are passed but not enforced...this is the start of an effort to change the mentality on what is this country's most crucial public health issue."
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