Greece introduces smoking ban

Smokers planning a holiday to Greece have been advised to thinking about quitting before they head out, as the country introduces tough new anti-smoking laws. People caught smoking inside could be fined up to £8,000 under the new measures brought in by the Greek government.

Offenders will face swift prosecution if they are caught smoking in enclosed public places and a ban on tobacco advertising is also being introduced. According to the country’s Prime Minister George Papandreou, the attitude of Greeks must change towards their health and smoking if they are going to make it out of the current economic crisis. Mr Papandreou added that the country would be made more viable and the quality of life would improve under the measures.

The controversial move has been welcomed by campaigners for the anti-smoking group ASH, with Martin Dockrell saying that if smokers can cope with being outside on the cold streets of London and Dublin, popping outside in sunny Greece for a cigarette shouldn’t be too much of a challenge.

Restaurant owners, however, already struggling under the economic crisis and a downturn in tourism, have said their customers will leave sooner if they have to go outside to smoke. Nikos Louvros, an Athens bar owner, said separate areas for smokers and non-smokers and air filters are a better solution.