Greek Police has fined two people with 50 euros each for having violated the smoking ban. The two people were customers in a cafeteria of Ialyssos on the island of Rhodes. A third customer, a lawyer and a non-smoker, called the police after he was disturbed by the cigarette smoke.
The cafeteria owner was fined with 500 euros.
The owner told media that the two smokers were sitting in the outdoors section of the facility. But police and the lawyer had apparently thought otherwise.
According to the Smoking ban Law, there are particular specifications regarding the outdoors spaces of cafes, restaurants and bar. these spaces have to be open on two sides. and apparently have no roof of any kind.
The outdoor space of his cafeteria “is open on three sides, as the law provides,” the owner said.
The outdoors space of the cafe has awnings to protect his customers from sun and rain, the owner said adding that they are rolled up at night.
He hired a legal advisor to settle whether the fine for hims and his customers was justified or not.
The smoking ban is to be officially implemented as of November 19, 2019.
So far, controllers have limited their actions in advises to facilities owners and customers – at least in Athens.
The Health Ministry will launch a four-digit telephone line where people can denounce the law violation.
PS Greeks have a natural allergy against finks…
Sadly, whilst the laws are there they do not have the resources to implement them. Having a telephone number to advise violations is also great but then who goes to the premises to check ????