Owners of restaurants, bars and cafeterias will appeal the anti-smoking law at Greece’s top court, the Council of State. They believe that the total, horizontal smoking ban in their facilities will drastically decrease the volume of customers and will be disastrous for the market that has already be “hurt.”
They argue that the implementation of the anti-smoking law will cause more financial damage to bars, cafes, restaurants and entertainment facilities. They believe that the government should have opted for milder transitional solutions.
In their appeal they will push for the possibility that all catering facilities will have the option to create special space for smokers.
The anti-smoking law punishes with heavy fines both smokers and businesses where the law is violated.
The Panhellenic Association of Facilities, Consumers in Catering and Entertainment (PASKEDI) has submitted specific proposals to the relevant Parliamentary Committee.
Among the proposals is the exception of businesses from fines when they comply with the law standards like removing ashtrays form the tables, have clear signs that smoking is forbidden, have floor ashtrays at the entrance.
PASKEDI also proposes that there must be options “enabling the catering industry to operate as smoking or non-smoking facility, and thus under strict conditions in each case.
The Association has pointed out that it has been receiving messages of dissatisfaction by its 40,000 members and stressed the need that “the anti-smoking law is being implemented smoothly.”
In a memorandum sent to the Health Ministry which is in charge for the law, PASKEDI said that the distinction between smoking and non-smoking facilities will bring balance to anti-smoking law.
And you? What do you think?
Loading ...PS Friends report that there are controls in restaurants, bar, cafeterias etc in downtown Athens over the weekends.
In neighborhood facilities, though, things are more relaxed. In a souvlaki tavern on Friday evening, we asked if smoking is allowed inside. “We have the windows open, so Yes!” was the response, “later, in winter, we’ll see.” Of course, for the Law having windows open is not sufficient. Smoking is allowed only outdoors, not matter how many windows are open. facilities.
We sat outside and enjoyed our dinner and cigarettes. Other smokers took pleasure on their souvlaki inside.
To tell you the truth, since the anti-smoking law, before we go out, to a specific facility, let’s say, we wonder whether we can smoke or not. Recently we did not go to a pastry shop because it has no tables outdoors…
Wonderful. To hell with the health of their customers just as long as the taverna and bar owners don’t lose money!
As always, the philosophy is if there is a choice between making more money and peoples’ health then to h-ll with peoples’ health. Right?
If everyone is enforcing the law across the board, no restaurant or bar will lose business. It’s only when some rogue places choose not to follow the law that law abiding establishments may be affected by their cheating fellow establishments. I’ve been to Ireland, Brazil and other locations, not to mention the US where smoking is not allowed and things are fine. Greeks will get used to it too.
I am not sure that is true. When the UK banned smoking in all pubs (as well as restaurants and other public places), the result was reduced attendance at pubs and this also dininished over time. It may be coincidental, but that actually happened. BTW, I hate cigarette smoke (along with other tobacco pollutants) but we do have to be considerate of the potential impact on people’s businesses and livelihoods.
one more thing the state and its power-drunk control freaks have to stick their noses into. This is private property and should be solely the decision of the owner, to allow smoking on his premises or not. personally ive never smoked even one puff, and i dont like the smell of cigarette smoke and consequently i just about never go to any of these places.. but i consider it totally wrong to force by diktat (and with heavy fines even against the owners!) such things. but then, people have already given in to this barbarous idea that the state has somehow the right to command or regulate _everything_.. this is a monster far more dangerous than smoking, and in the end it _always_ leads to a situation of oppression which is also a much more deadly hazard to the health and very life of people, than a 4 packs a day habit ever was!
the sad reality though is that these state-worshippers will not understand this until after they find themselves in a gulag. maybe they feel some burst of sadistic pleasure (schadenfreude, indeed!) at watching someone else’s will get dominated by their beloved all-powerful monster.. when that monster turns toward them next who will be there to protest?
Pretty much everywhere in europe we still live with this uncivilized concept of an all powerful leviathan state, and thus the dialog never even begins where it ought to- which is strictly and precisely enumerated specific powers and domains of responsibility to delegate to the state, outside of which they simply have no business or authority to stick their noses into. until then, we live in an effective dictatorship whatever the ‘democracy’ label might say.
this smoking ban is only one tiny example.
sorry, but it is NOT up to the owner. The Bar restaurant or whatever have staff work there and can have serious health consequences from breathing second hand smoke. Its a health issue. Absolutely any establishment that allows children inside should not allow smoking.
I am a heavy smoker and would never sit next to a child and smoke inside a restaurant whether i’m allowed or not.
Its time smokers in this country are forced to use their brains because they don’t have the decency to behave respectably otherwise
The over reaching state issue should be used for another topic, smoking is dangerous and people who don’t smoke have the RIGHT not to have to breath other peoples second hand smoke
In many countries before banning smoking partially there was a campaign to make people aware of the cancer threat for smokers and the consequences of non smokers including children when breathing in smoke from tobacco. Next restaurants and eating outlets as well as places of work and public facilities provided a smoking area and a non-smoking area for customers, employees and the general public. `This was evident even in cold climates in winter when smokers congregated outside their places of work, puffing frantically until their break ended and they returned to their smoke-free offices, smelling like an ash-tray, of course.
To suddenly operate a full no-smoking ban causes difficulties unnecessarily. A gradual introduction with information is more likely to produce co-operation and care of health.
I’ve heard and read all these arguments before we had our smoking ban. Toronto, too, suggested making super strong fans to extract the smoke, smoking and non-smoking sections, smoking “rooms” that were walled off from the rest.
Then they just imposed the ban. all our restaurants are busy, all the bars. They did, at first, non-smoking inside, smoking outside. But I think this, too, has fallen by the wayside.
I was in Greece 2 years ago and went to a government building that was full of smoke in spite of their signs everywhere saying no smoking allowed.
The same thing is going to happen with plastic bags….
Recent studies showed around 75% of Greeks are non smokers. Bars and restaurants will benefit from increased custom from these people and from families with children.
Everywhere else in Europe has imposed a smoking ban and it has no long term impact on the hospitality sector.
Greek smokers need to understand the majority non smokers have a right to a smoke free environment.
I will report any establishment that breaks the law.
link to the studies?
Best thing the Irish government did was bring in the smoking ban…I was a smoker at the time and was against it but now I totally agree with the decision.its just so much nicer to eat without smelling cigarette smoke wafting around the restaurant or bar…
I’ve just bought a house in crete and I am looking forward to a non smoking environment in restaurants and bars…Greeks will thank the government in a few years as people will realise it’s the right thing to do..