- The Sofia Echo
- Expat in Bulgaria
- Propertywise Bulgaria
- About Us
- Sitemap
- Sales Points
- Advertise
- Email Bulletins
- Home
advertisement
Tue, Feb 09 2010
Smoking ban causes controversy - but is it justified?
The amendments to the Health Act, passed on first reading, set to impose a full ban on smoking in public places in Bulgaria, have led to a war of words between the tourist industry, businesses and those in favour of the ban.
Tourist organisations, hotels and other industry-related enterprises are up in arms, arguing that in the midst of a crippling economic crisis, a complete ban would make matters worse. They say that a sensitive, phased approach should be implemented instead. "A gradual process rather than a complete ban is a lot more sensitive," said Blagoi Ragin, president of the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association (BHRA), as quoted by Bulgarian news agency BTA on April 16.
"Prohibition would squeeze the turnover of bars and restaurants by 30 per cent, and many of the smaller establishments will face collapse," Radin warned, as quoted by Dnevnik daily. "Bulgaria should combat smoking but should apply an integrated, comprehensive and reasonable approach instead of going to extremes," he said.
Substantially more adamant on the matter were individual hoteliers and restaurateurs interviewed by the Bulgarian daily Standart, who said they feared going bankrupt if a smoking ban was imposed.
"Let's give way to incentives rather than fines in the war against cigarettes," the BHRA proposed. Most BHRA officials are especially concerned that businesses will register devastating financial losses.
"Turnovers will slide down by 30-40 per cent; smaller restaurants would be better off closing down straight away," they said. "It would be far better if employers start paying bonuses to non-smoking workers," Ragin was quoted as saying by Standart.
BHRA has suggested that employers give employees incentives to quit smoking by offering bigger salaries and longer paid leave to non-smokers. Among the proposals are the imposition of special corners for smokers in restaurants or an alleviation of taxation on smoke-free restaurants.
On November 16 2004, a Public Health white paper proposed a smoking ban in almost all public places in England. Smoking restrictions would be phased in, with a ban on smoking in NHS and government buildings by 2006, in enclosed public places by 2007, and pubs, bars and restaurants (except pubs not serving food) by the end of 2008.
In spite of bitter opposition by establishments and members of parliament, the government announced that it would continue with its plans. All workplaces, including restaurants and pubs selling food, were ordered to have a ban in place by summer 2007.
Ultimately, the smoking ban in England was enforced, making it illegal to smoke in all enclosed public places and enclosed work places in England, from July 1 2007. Similar bans had already been introduced by the rest of the United Kingdom — Scotland on March 26 2006, Wales on April 2 2007 and Northern Ireland on April 30 2007.
In different reports by July 2008 it was revealed that pubs and restaurants had not registered a financial loss exceeding 10 per cent.
In fact, some pubs and bars had registered an increase of business because many non-smokers, previously reluctant to frequent poorly ventilated, smoky establishments, were visiting more often following the ban.
Tourist organisations, hotels and other industry-related enterprises are up in arms, arguing that in the midst of a crippling economic crisis, a complete ban would make matters worse. They say that a sensitive, phased approach should be implemented instead. "A gradual process rather than a complete ban is a lot more sensitive," said Blagoi Ragin, president of the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association (BHRA), as quoted by Bulgarian news agency BTA on April 16.
"Prohibition would squeeze the turnover of bars and restaurants by 30 per cent, and many of the smaller establishments will face collapse," Radin warned, as quoted by Dnevnik daily. "Bulgaria should combat smoking but should apply an integrated, comprehensive and reasonable approach instead of going to extremes," he said.
Substantially more adamant on the matter were individual hoteliers and restaurateurs interviewed by the Bulgarian daily Standart, who said they feared going bankrupt if a smoking ban was imposed.
"Let's give way to incentives rather than fines in the war against cigarettes," the BHRA proposed. Most BHRA officials are especially concerned that businesses will register devastating financial losses.
"Turnovers will slide down by 30-40 per cent; smaller restaurants would be better off closing down straight away," they said. "It would be far better if employers start paying bonuses to non-smoking workers," Ragin was quoted as saying by Standart.
BHRA has suggested that employers give employees incentives to quit smoking by offering bigger salaries and longer paid leave to non-smokers. Among the proposals are the imposition of special corners for smokers in restaurants or an alleviation of taxation on smoke-free restaurants.
On November 16 2004, a Public Health white paper proposed a smoking ban in almost all public places in England. Smoking restrictions would be phased in, with a ban on smoking in NHS and government buildings by 2006, in enclosed public places by 2007, and pubs, bars and restaurants (except pubs not serving food) by the end of 2008.
In spite of bitter opposition by establishments and members of parliament, the government announced that it would continue with its plans. All workplaces, including restaurants and pubs selling food, were ordered to have a ban in place by summer 2007.
Ultimately, the smoking ban in England was enforced, making it illegal to smoke in all enclosed public places and enclosed work places in England, from July 1 2007. Similar bans had already been introduced by the rest of the United Kingdom — Scotland on March 26 2006, Wales on April 2 2007 and Northern Ireland on April 30 2007.
In different reports by July 2008 it was revealed that pubs and restaurants had not registered a financial loss exceeding 10 per cent.
In fact, some pubs and bars had registered an increase of business because many non-smokers, previously reluctant to frequent poorly ventilated, smoky establishments, were visiting more often following the ban.
-
Print
-
Send via email
- Translate to
-
Share:
Comments
Write comment
By posting a comment, you are deemed to have read and agreed to our
Acceptable Use Policy.
Six hundred people sanctioned for smoking inside trains
Those who refused to pay the 20 leva fine were taken off the trains.
Burning money
To raise revenue and discourage smoking, Bulgaria is poised to radically raise cigarette excises from 2010
Smoking on the beach ‘heightens cancer risk’
Team of scientists, including a Bulgarian professor, says that sunlight worsens the carcinogenic effect of tobacco.
Turkey bans smoking in bars, cafés and restaurants
Ban, taking effect on July 19 2009, extends an earlier ban issued in May 2008 on smoking in offices, public transport and other public places. Turkey’s health minister says that ban brought down smoking by seven per cent.
European Commission calls for smoke-free Europe by 2012
‘There is a wave of support from the general public,’ says European Health Commissioner.
Full public smoking ban made official
In spite of the controversy and speculation that the ban would only add fuel to the economic crisis in Bulgaria, the ban has been passed on second reading, making it final and official.
Smoking in public places banned from June 2010
Bulgaria joins other countries in banning smoking in workplaces and public buildings
Smoky business
Since November 20, the question of banning smoking in public areas and workplaces in Bulgaria depends solely on the speed of the country's bureaucratic and legislative machine. On that day the Government finally adopted a controversial decision to ban smoking in public places from June 1 2010. To make this ban effective, Parliament will now have to adopt amendments to the Public Health Act approved by the Cabinet and integrate them into Bulgaria's legislation. How long it will take Parliament to do that remains to be seen. But now, at least, the deadline for such a ban has been set.
Government wants ban on smoking in public places as of June 1 2010
A ban on smoking in public places and workplaces in Bulgaria will come into effect on June 1 2010 should Parliament approve the amendments to the Public Health Act put forward by the Cabinet on November 20 2008. November 20 is the world non-smoking day. According to a statement on the Government's website, the Cabinet decided to suggest the amendments to the act, which will ban smoking in all public and private workplaces.
Ban on smoking ahead
A complete ban on smoking in Bulgaria's public spaces might be introduced from June 1 2010 if Parliament approves amendments to the Health Act. The Health Ministry requested the amendments at a seminar it organised on the topic on September 29. Currently, Bulgaria has some restrictions on smoking in public areas, introduced in 2007, but only as far as having separate sections in
More in this category
Record number former State Security agents among Academy of Science management
First time the ratio of former collaborators is above 10 percent of records examined.
Bulgaria faced with another blizzard on February 10-11
Weather conditions in Bulgaria on February 10-11 will become 'forbidding' according to the forecast.
Bulgarian troops return from Afghanistan
260 Bulgarian soldiers landed at Sofia Airport from Kandahar on February 8 2010.
Bulgaria ‘could win Eurovision 2010’ – Miro
Having chosen its contestant to go to Oslo for Eurovision 2010, on February 28 Bulgaria will choose the song that he will sing.
Ropotamo River bursts its banks affecting roads in the region
Up to 90cm of snow cover in the region between Kurdzhali and Assenovgrad, while near Adrino snow cover is more than 70cm
© 2000-2010, Sofia Echo Media Ltd.
Web Design by RIZN
Sofia Echo Media is part of the Economedia Group.
The news and information content on this website is provided by our editorial team and is copyrighted.
Any unauthorised reproduction or use of it is strictly forbidden. Reproduction of this website's content is permitted only
with prior written permission from the Editor-in-Chief, should be propertly acredited and provide an active link back to our site.
Comments posted by the website's visitors are independent of the editorial materials and do not represent the views of sofiaecho.com.
Sofia Echo Media cannot be held responsible for the statements contained in visitor comments.
The percentаge change in the shares' prices are based on the price of the last transaction of the current session compared to the
price of the last transaction of the previous session. Bulgarian Stock Exchange data is not real-time, but updated every 15 minutes,
and should not be used as a basis for decisions about buying or selling stock options.
- Economedia Group portfolio:
- In Bulgarian:
-
Business:
Капитал,
Кариери,
Пазари,
Ho Re Mag,
Регал,
Stroitelstvo.info,
Одит,
Foton.bg,
Klikshop.bg
- News: Дневник, Европа, Foreign Policy - България
- IT: IDG.BG, Computerworld, PC World, CIO, Networkworld
- Entertainment: Бакхус, pipe.bg
-
In English:
The Sofia Echo, Property Wise Bulgaria, Expat In Bulgaria
Just look at the heading photo again for G*D'S Sake. BAN THEM!!
Enough said.
All good points but life and health is much more important than business.
Banning smoking will save so much death in BG - second highest rate of smoking in the world. It's plain sad. And yes, many bg folk will be overjoyed at the ban, they don't all smoke. (BTW, Cigarettes are too cheap)
The next policy (sorry) should be to put average speed cameras wherever possible, and fine the many idiot drivers who happily kill themselves and others by driving too fast.
Do all this, and we'll see fewer of the tragic deaths symbolised by those posters.
I don't smoke and never have due having asthma as a child. I am now nearing retirement and still workout in the gym,and run most days. I have recently raised £10,000 for different charities including cancer investigation. That is my choice, My oppinion for what its worth is stress is the biggest killer and cancer is a by product of the stress. Although thousands of licenced premises have closed in the UK since the smoking ban I think a lot of it is due to the credit crunch. Maybe the ban will work in the Cities and big towns here but never in the villages
this is Bulgaria, not England or Sweden. A majority of people still smoke and this ban would kill business. Fortunately, being Bulgaria, it will probably not be enforced, like so many other so-called laws here. Anarchy is a good thing.
since smoking ban in bars in britain there arean average of 39 closing a week.
This comment has been removed by the moderator because it contained
The smoking in Bulgarian restaurants and bars is ridiculous. I have a lung problem caused by this mindless activity. Smokers should be given an area outside or caged off and ventilated. Nicotine addiction brings ZERO benefits and is easy to beat...4000 chemicals in secondary smoke! Get with it and get rid of it!
Good luck Bulgaria - http://www.democracyinstitute.org/pdfs/DI%20Denormalisation%20Study.pdf
snip~page 25
Would we find nothing morally objectionable about such government
activity? The answer is that, whatever our views about AIDS or sexuality, we would
find such actions to be morally objectionable. For a government in a liberal
democracy, the tool for censuring either its citizens or its corporations is not
denormalisation but the criminal law. To
forget this is to forget that the twentiethcentury’s
experiments in denormalisation
ended with the gulag and the concentration camp.
Denormalisation also runs afoul of legitimacy because it represents a vast and
unacceptable instance of social engineering.
Just ask yourselves, if the majority want want the antis want, why are they not investing their OWN money into smoke-free venues? it will not be their money to lose if you bring in the draconian, spiteful bans like we havve in the UK. I would not have a holiday in my own Country or any others that do want "smokers money". Choice is what people want.
The hatred this has caused is NOT healthy for children or Countries, that is what to expect. First inside then outside, the fanatical antis do not know when to stop.
The UK had to endure "million pound adverts" to ensure denormalisation, was effected.
One of the adverts, was set in a morgue, the chemical they spoke of, was "formaldehdye" and smokers.
What they failed to mention, was it is also in J&J and others baby products. The "formalehyde babies" I call them.
http://www.democracyinstitute.org/pdfs/DI%20Denormalisation%20Study.pdf
The trace levels of certain compounds found by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics can result from processes that make our products gentle for babies and safe from bacteria growth. The FDA and other government agencies around the world consider these trace levels safe, and all our products meet or exceed the regulatory requirements in every country where they are sold. Experts such as MDs, toxicologists and clinical scientists regularly review the safety data for all ingredients used in our products. In addition, we test our final baby product formulations for safety. Once our products are in the marketplace, we continually monitor consumer experiences and review evolving scientific data.
We are disappointed that the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has inaccurately characterized the safety of our products, misrepresented the overwhelming consensus of scientists and government agencies that review the safety of ingredients, and unnecessarily alarmed parents.
We want to reassure parents that JOHNSON’S® Baby Shampoo and all our baby and kids products are safe, gentle and mild products that they can trust and use with confidence.
Just so you are ready and forewarned.
freedom2choose.info, we will fight for choice and TRUTH
This comment has been removed by the moderator because it contained
Typo, smoking bans were introduced in Sweden 2005-06 not 2007-06
In Sweden the organisation for Hotels and restaurante in Sweden SHR, was against a ban on smoking 2007-06. One year later 95% of the same industry was happy.
According to a survey of hundreds of canteens made of SHR in March this year, is an overwhelming majority in favor of the smoking ban.
16 percent have noticed clear improvement revenue.
78 percent say that income is the same as before the ban.
6 percent have noticed that the revenue declined.
Since the smoking ban in Sweden's restaurants, bars and pubs have introduced new groups of visitors to the pub.
Full story (in Swedish)
http://www.aftonbladet.se/kropphalsa/slutaroka/article382707.ab
Surprising that the tourist industry should be upset by this; most tourists and people coming to Bg. on holiday will be from countries where smoking has long been considered unhealthy and unpleasant.
LIES, LIES, and misinformation is what you will be subject to in Bulgaria until the anti-tobacco, anti-freedom movement get their way – UNLESS honest citizens stand up against them!!!
When anti-tobacco start their campaign - ANYTHING GOES!! Passive smoking is nothing more than an irritant to a minority – it is NOT harmful! but Anti-tobacco will NEVER admit that because too many have too much to loose.
BUT - Smoking bans DEVASTATE the hospitality business! - Look at comments from other countries where people have LOOKED at the results and not just accepted what some jumped up (non) ‘expert’ has told them. Don’t get me wrong, one or two restaurants may benefit, BUT the majority will suffer badly! THIS HAS HAPPENED AND IS STILL HAPPENING IN THE UK – boarded up pubs, clubs, bingo halls etc everywhere!
The anti-tobacco charlatans will tell you that non-smokers will replace smokers and business will be better for it – THIS IS TOTAL LIES
If this was true - WHY IS THERE ANY NEED for smoking bans? - Don’t you think that if this was the case that at least some businesses would already have made their places smoke free? Common sense really. Smokers are more likely to be drinkers too. In UK 39 pubs now close EVERY WEEK – around 100,000 workers made UNEMPLOYED – Non smokers have NOT replaced smokers!
The truth is that smoking bans are destructive, not just to business but to society in general. It brings bigots out of the sewers. Smokers will stay at home just like they have in the UK and every other place where rigid smoking bans have been put in place. Not only that, but their non-smoking friends will fade away too, as pub atmosphere is lost. Smokers WILL react to discrimination by boycotting hospitality venues - but don't blame them. What else can they do other than to say "yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir, you can treat me like a leper sir"?
NO WAY!! Smokers will not give in to coercion by bigots - this has been shown to be true everywhere smoking bans have been forced on them - it's just that anti-smoking zealots will do their best to hide that fact! (or any other FACTS for that matter!)
Now the ‘smoking campaign’ is rapidly becoming the ‘alcohol campaign’ and the ‘obesity campaign’ Your guess is as good as mine what comes after they have been cowed into submission – so if you think that this will not affect you because you are a non smoker – THINK AGAIN!
Fortunately many countries are shunning or amending smoking bans – for example; Germany, Holland and around half the states in the USA. If you want a good, fair and equitable example – look no further than Spain, They ARE retaining their tourist industry. Alternatively look to Hawaii –where there tourism has been devastated, but they are now seeing sense and are in the process of amending their flawed smoking ban.
Bulgarians –DO NOT TAKE THIS LYING DOWN! Anti smokers ARE a SMALL minority – don’t let them take away your freedom of choice!
Bulgaria cannot be compared to UK or USA. To start with, in those places tobacco was highly taxed over preceeding years, thus reducing the overall number of smokers. Secondly, the culture of smoking is quite different, with smokers being in the minority and being more 'defensive' about the habit. Bars, clubs and other places of entertainment have seen a marked decline in clientel, with many closing as a result.
In Bulgaria the greatest threat to health and life is traffic and driving styles. I would make a good guess that traffic related events cause more harm and death as a percentage of the population than smoking.
I suggest raise tax level on tobacco; make estblishments declare and clearly marked as smoking or non smoking; then after a few years reconsider a total ban.
if i can throw my tuppence 'apney in? when i visit uk (am english) its great not to have your eyes stinging,clothes reaking of smoke. then when back in Bg you really notice how much cleaner the air is.
However i do agree from the personal choice angle - so why not have bars/cafe's designated as smoking/non smoking?? actually because of the climate in Bg, sitting outside shouldnt be any different.
it is a proven fact that smoking kills!
pubs in the uk are closing for various reasons-high rents and bad management will be the greater problem.
Pathetic Janice- bars aren't for kids in the first place. Secondly Passive smoking has often been proven to be a complete hoax!!
Perhaps the non-smokers dont come out because they dont like the smoke! just a guess!
possible like the smokers dont come out now, because they dont like the clean air! i might be wrong of course!
Martin - as you say 90% of the customers in your local bar are smokers.
Think about it!
This comment has been removed by the moderator because it contained
Fair play Martin - I'm tempted to quit just for the snoggin' :-)
Some of the best things about stopping smoking over the last 3 years has been the £15,000 Iv'e saved oh and you get more snogs !
Martin - as you say 90% of the customers in your local bar are smokers.
Think about it!
Fourth fact: I hate coming home smelling of fast food.
As a smoker for 25 years, I thoroughly disagree with smoking around people who are eating and often chose to use smoke free establishments for the comfort of both my non-smoking guests and myself. However, many traditional pubs in the UK relied on their wet trade - drinkers - and not food. The drinkers want to smoke. Even the landlords want to smoke but have to go outside.
The ban is simply undemocratic and unfortunately anti-smokers who are singing it's praises are quite simply undermining our free market economy and our sense of democracy.
Instead of thinking about yourself and/or your prejudices... try looking at the bigger picture.
If you believe in freedom of choice... then I hope you sympathise with my important point.
Maybe the loss of trade particularly in Rural Areas is due to stringent drink drive laws, rather than the smoking ban in the UK.
As someone who lost both parents prematurely due to smoking related diseases, I think I speak from experience. Smoking is bad for you and as a resident in Bulgaria one only has to look at the average age on every poster on most trees and doors in the villages, and see that families are losing there menfolk prematurely I wonder why ?
My own experience in my own village bar is typical, they have a 'no smoking' table in a smoke filled bar where 90% of the customers are smokers WHAT A LAUGH !. So the choice I and others make is not to attend except when the weather is warm enough to sit outside.
So come on Bulgaira I have a right to breathe clean air. And any higher prices or bans are for your own protection SMOKING IS A KILLER ! Ex 40 a day man
It would be nice to dress up to go out not wear old clothes that go straight into the wash ! YUK
Smokers all over muttering tut ex smoker they are the worst of all !
Jon is absoloutely right, the ban has affected Pubs in the U.K. big time & they are still closing down at an alarming rate, perhaps they should have left it to the owners to decide whether they have smoking or not, then customers could choose for themselves if they use a smoking or non smoking bar / pub.
It's fantastic in the UK, never had so much fun! don’t hear that irritating click and then that big cloud of smoke whizzing past your nose. Enjoy the ban Bulgaria! Live life!
I have noticed in the UK, that now smokers are out in the cold, they smoke that fag in 2 mins. Whereas when there was no discomfort to them selves they would take 20mins. Strange!
Third fact:
I hate coming home stinking like an ashtray.
If restaurateurs had implemented the non-smoking areas of their premises like they were supposed to - instead of just asking whether you'd like an ash tray when you sat there - maybe this wouldn't be necessary. Bit to late to moan about it now.
Bulgaria should take the lead in allowing business's to choose. Bulgaria should also relax its stance on illegal drugs together with the rest of Eastern Europe and the third world producers. Why on earth would anyone look to the UK or the USA for guidance. These two countries are a complete mess on every social level. As a Polish friend said - 'if life in Britain is progress, we don't want it'. Do your own thing Bulgaria - forget the West - we're finished.
Two facts:
1. There is absolutley no evidence linking passive smoking to health problems.
2. Englands pubs are empty.
The doomsday predictions are the same moronic drivel the spouted in New York when the banned smoking, first in restaurants, then bars. Before that, it was California that did the same thing. In all cases, it did not turn out to be true. And even if it does hurt business, is the cost really greater than the health costs of forcing hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of non-smokers to breath the fetid air in Bulgarian restaurants and bars.
And about the proposal for "smoking corners" -- ie 90% of the space, BOTTOM LINE: HAVING SMOKING IN NON-SMOKING SECTIONS IS LIKE HAVE "PEEING" AND "NON-PEEING" SECTIONS IN A PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL...
I'm afraid you are wrong about the loss of business. On average, 39 pubs are shutting each week in England. The anti-smoking groups such as ASH claim this is due to the recession, yet the same thing happened in Ireland following its smoking ban in 2003, during an economic boom. Don't look to ASH UK for your information.
I'm looking forward to the ban - maybe i'll bring the kids out more often!