Greece to Impose Public Smoking Ban

Public smoking will soon be banned in Greece, which is considered to be the heaviest smoking nation in Europe. This has been decided upon after previous partial bans were ignored.

Earlier laws, which restricted smoking to designated areas in business establishments, restaurants and bars were not adhered to.

The new ban, which is total, will have a provision that would raise the tobacco purchasing age to 18 and will be presented in Greek Parliament in June. The decision would ensure that cafeteria owners and restaurants provide 50% of their establishment areas as non-smoking areas.

According to estimates in Greece, one in three in the age group of 12-18 have tried smoking. One in ten is addicted to smoking according to a 2007 survey. There has been a 10% increase in smokers in the past decade, whereas in other developing countries efforts are on to cut down on smoking. France, Britain and Ireland have already banned smoking in public places.

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