Greek government plans to ban smoking by 2010

Jun 25, 2008, 9:50 GMT

Athens - Greece, Europe's biggest smoking nation, will be running out of places to light up by 2010 as the government will finally enforce European Union guidelines banning smoking in many public places.

The Health Ministry said Wednesday it would gradually ban smoking in public places, such as cafes and restaurants by 2010 after previous partial bans were ignored.

Two previous laws, forcing businesses, bars, cafes, restaurants and taxis to limit smoking to designated areas has largely been ignored.

The government will also introduce heavy fines to anyone that does not abide by the regulations. Restaurants, bars and cafes will be fined 3,000 euros while smokers will be fined 300 euros.

The new strict regulations will likely have a heavy impact on a nation where 45 per cent of the adult population are smokers, and where smoking in offices and cafes is seen as a favourite traditional pass-time.

According to a recent survey, the stricter measures, aimed at protecting smokers and non-smokers, have the backing of most Greeks.

Nearly eight in 10 Greeks believe that banning the habit from all public places is not an infringment on personal rights.

Greece's smoking population is among the highest in the world and easily ourtranks other European countries such as France where 38 per cent of the population smoke.

Authorities will also launch a marketing campaign aimed at preventing youths from taking up the habit.

The number of smokers in Greece has gone up 10 per cent in the last 10 years, another survey has found, while many other developed nations are cutting back.

Approximately one in three 12-18 year olds have tried smoking, while one in 10 is addicted, according to a 2007 survey.