02/09/2010
Holiday makers warned: Greece will impose tough anti-smoking laws
by Laura Nineham
Anyone planning a holiday to Greece should consider quitting smoking before they go because if they're caught smoking indoors, they could be fined up to £8,000 under tough new anti-smoking laws.
As reported by The Daily Mail, the Greek government will outlaw smoking in enclosed public areas and ban tobacco advertising. If caught, offenders could be fined up to £8,000 and will face a swift prosecution.
Prime minister George Papandreou reportedly believes the attitude of Greeks must change in order to rebuild the country following the economic crisis. "It will contribute to the work we're doing today that's aimed at changing attitudes, norms and behaviour to improve our quality of life and to make our country viable, not just its economy but in every day life," said Mr Papandreou.
Smokers who are holidaying in Greece could benefit from stop smoking hypnotherapy or similar methods which help kick the habit without relying on will power alone.
It's a move that has been welcomed by anti-smoking campaign group ASH. Martin Dockrell from ASH said: "If [smokers] can cope with sitting on a street corner in rainy London and windy Dublin, beautiful and sunny Greece shouldn't pose much of a challenge."
However, the news has been criticised by local restaurateurs who say people won't stay for as long if they need to pop outside to smoke.
"I can't understand why smokers and non-smokers can't have their own areas," said Nikos Louvros, a bar owner in Athens. "You can filter the air, and everyone gets what suits them."
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