advertisement
Sat, Feb 11 2012
Smokers forced to stub it out in public areas
Photo: Wikipedia
Parliament formally adopted a law on Friday May 15 extending a smoking ban to all indoor areas.
The new legislation was fiercely contested by both sides of the dispute. More than 40 percent of Bulgaria's 7.6 million population are believed to smoke.The ban, which takes effect June 1, 2010, is part of an anti-smoking government strategy that includes price hikes on cigarettes and media campaigns.
Smoking was banned in administrative buildings and on public transport in 2005. Restaurant and bar owners were obliged to provide nonsmoking areas, but smokers largely ignored the restrictions.
Some bar and restaurant owners fear the new ban will scare away customers and undermine their businesses.
The new legislation was fiercely contested by both sides of the dispute. More than 40 percent of Bulgaria's 7.6 million population are believed to smoke.The ban, which takes effect June 1, 2010, is part of an anti-smoking government strategy that includes price hikes on cigarettes and media campaigns.
Smoking was banned in administrative buildings and on public transport in 2005. Restaurant and bar owners were obliged to provide nonsmoking areas, but smokers largely ignored the restrictions.
Some bar and restaurant owners fear the new ban will scare away customers and undermine their businesses.
-
Print
-
Send via email
- Translate to
-
Share:
Comments
To post comments, please, Login or Register.
Please read the The Sofia Echo forum comments policy.
Bulgaria's ruling party ready to qualify ban on public smoking
The full ban, which is due to come into effect in June 2010, would undermine the tourism industry, party representatives believe.
Higher excise duty on cigarettes mulled by Finance Ministry, media report says
If the ministry succeeds in raising the excise duty to 76 euro in 2010 from the previously planned 64 euro, prices would increase by an average 30 per cent
Smoking on the beach ‘heightens cancer risk’
Team of scientists, including a Bulgarian professor, says that sunlight worsens the carcinogenic effect of tobacco.
More in this category
US embassy in Sofia announces youth essay contest
Works will be reviewed by a group of judges, and winners will receive certificates and prizes.
Bulgarian police bust drug distribution gang in ‘Operation Hammer’
Seven arrested, including ‘The Squirrel’ who was found in possession of 10 00 euro, Interior Ministry says. Mobile phones, computer equipment and drug paraphernalia seized.
Bulgaria’s winter weekend weather – cloudy and cold with light snow
Maximum temperatures across the country will remain mostly below zero.
Mild earth tremors in Bulgaria on February 10
The first tremor was at about 12.34am, followed by another three minutes later. Their epicentres were located between the towns of Radnevo and Topolovgrad.
Bulgaria halts electricity exports after power plant accident
There was no risk of blackouts caused by insufficient power supply, Economy Minister Traicho Traikov told Bulgarian National Radio.
© 2000-2012, 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,
Градът.bg,
Одит,
Foton.bg,
Online shop
- News: Дневник, Европа, Foreign Policy - България
- IT: IDG.BG, Computerworld, PC World, CIO, Networkworld
- Entertainment: Бакхус
-
In English:
The Sofia Echo
This comment has been removed by the moderator because it contained
Absolutely FABULOUS news. I loved being able to go out in the UK and not having to come home with my clothes all stinky from sitting amongst smokers all night. I love Bulgaria, its a great place to live, but the only negative I had was that when I go out, I come home with my clothes smelling of smoke. So roll on June 1st 2010. Cant come fast enough for me.
As a non-smoker I am so happy about this-as I was when it was introduced in England.. great to see progress.! I can't wait to go into a cafe or restaurant and be able to breathe clean air in Bulgaria and not have to put up with foul smelling smoke, and overflowing ashtrays next to food.
110% in favour.
What's more important, some time unemployed or premature and painfull death?
John Jo is right... save our children from the curse of smoke.
Why should bar and restaurant workers be forced to risk their health?
Remember when mines were shut in the UK... pickets etc. Unemployment was sad but think of the lives saved in the long run.
We need saving from ourselves.. and this ban will be the best thing ever for Bulgaria. And yes smokers will adjust quicker than thought possible. We [...]
Read the full comment hate change but this change will be truly a remarkable one IF (a big if) the ban is enforced.
This comment has been removed by the moderator because it contained
am a non smoker visit bulgaria often it will kill trade and buisness as it as in england should be inside
restauants only.
oh! oh! here comes 'big brother' to bulgaria. why dont you let people make their own minds up?
@Jett
Maybe along with higher prices it will just make more people quit. I don't think this will necessarily mean job loses ... people enjoy going out and meeting other people ... smoking is not necessarily part of the experience.
As a former smoker and psychotherapist I can say Bulgarians smoke because they're unhappy on a mass scale. For thousands smoking represents the only relief in/from their lives. This applies to all the addictions by the way. With the level of welfare increasing people drop the addictions naturally. But only under such circumstances. Secondary factors like "will" and "rationality" don't make difference at all. When deprived of their remedy miserable people only become more miserable and even insane.
I'm not saying the measures shouldn't be taken to limit smoking, I'm just warning that it WILL have its sociopsychological [...]
Read the full comment price.
This is a long time coming i am sick and tired of having to breath other peoples smoke while i am out in a restuarant with my children if adults do not smoke in front of there children perhaps they will not take up this disgusting habit.
The government as usual is a ass, this will cause 20 to 30 % of pubs clubs and 30 to 40 % of restraints to close, plus more people unemployed claiming benefit, loss of tax revenue and medical insurance payments, Do the same as the French and jest ignore it