On 1st July Greece imposes the smoking ban and anyone failing to carry out this ban can be fined 1,000 euro and up - my question is - where/who do the offenders get reported to? Will there be a 'report' line - just curious as to how a person gets reported. Thanks I was hoping there would be a phone number - I have been warning the owners of the children's bouncy castle cafe for years, But they are friends and I don't want to do it to them - BUT the children's health comes first - they were even smoking next to THEIR new born baby! Also do you think every restaurant / cafeteria (under 70m) will choose to be a smoking area - rather than a non-smoking!? Artemis - you must say something! That's the problem here - no one tells the smoker to extinguish the cigarette! (I do) I hate smoking - being a child of 2 heavy smokers I know how horrible it is to suffer 2nd hand smoke.
Greece - 6 Answers
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1 :
i doubt people will keep to it, ive never seen as many smokers in one place than when i went to Athens last summer
2 :
I asked the same at the Ministry of health. There is a service there called Soma epitheoriton Dhmosias Ygeias, and they are responsible for reports etc. http://www.mohaw.gr/ministry/S.E.Y.Y.P However, there must be a specific political will for this to work. If the Ministry really means it, and sends the inspectors over after 1-2 reported cases, and the fines are indeed imposed, it will work. If not, it will be like the rest of the laws in Greece: good laws, but not imposed. PS. It also depends on us. We have to claim our rights. If a place does not apply the ban, we must protest as well. Even if we are smokers. Smokers must not think selfishly about this. They have kids or will have, don't they? My dad smoked a lot, but never in the house or in places where it was not allowed. And he would put up a fight if someone else did.
3 :
This is going to be a difficult one. I forget how many times I have been in a bank or post office and there is a "Thank you for not smoking" sign. Only to see at least one person behind the counter puffing their head off.
4 :
the beauty of Greece & the Greek people...is that they do just what they want to do!! i doubt that the smoking ban in cafes etc...will ever be enforced....they are just too laid back about things...the police included!!
5 :
There will be a 4 digit phone line announced for anonymous reports. Read more at the link below.
6 :
all i can say is i hope the SOMA is audible to the full force of the law..and nothing is left stagnet.. i can say though apart from inspectors..in australia..there are also building codes now if you have a coffe shop or resturant that carters for smokers..! !you must have a totaly smoke freek area for all patrons !if u carter for smokers.you must provide a open air enviroment ie: no roof or enclosed areas! the distance form smokers and non smokers must be at least 20 feet.and not down wind. ! you have the right to refuse any one service if they light up.if asked to leave ,and they dotn u may call the cops. you may lay charges to damages to ur bussines.and the enviromrent court would also imposee a hefty fine on that person! ! you have the right and the obligation to advertise your premises as non smoking .with or with out al fresca areas for smoking @ the moment all goverment buildings and services are all smoke free.most coperate bussiens are smoke free most department stores are smoke free.all transport services are smoke free. the only place you can smoke is in ur car on the street in your home and areas that are designated in any provisional food or recreational establsihments...there is talk latley to even ban smoking in cars...just like mobiles they say its a distraction..to ur concentration of driving... aand thats about it.. but tell me WHY IF ALL THESE THINGS ARE IN LAW NOW ..why why why is the goverment still allowing the sale of tobbacco!
