Many EU countries prohibit smoking in public places

Currently, in European Union member countries (EU) 650,000 people die each year from smoking related diseases, 800 thousand people die from passive smoking and about 30% of adults smoke cigarette. EU countries are arguing to come up with the general rule of banning smoking in public places.

Commissioner of the European Commission (EC) in charge of health issues M.Kiprianou has published a discussion paper, which calls on EU countries to ban smoking in offices, restaurants and pubs. After discussions and comments from member states, consumer organizations and the tobacco industry, the EC is expected to introduce a bill banning smoking in public places across the EU next year.

To date, many EU member states have enacted regulations surrounding the ban on smoking in public places. However, the regulations of these countries are different.

In Austria, smoking is banned in schools, public transport and other educational institutions but not banned in workplaces. However, in places where guests are welcome, the smoking ban is applied when there are non-smokers.

In Belgium , from January 1, 2006, smoking was banned in closed workplaces and allowed to smoke only in well-ventilated and reserved places. Smoking is only allowed in restaurants - where separate rooms are completely separate from the restaurant, and in places where food is not served. Bars and coffees are not banned from smoking, but they need sufficient ventilation.

Smoking causes respiratory disease.(Photo: AP)

In the UK , banning smoking completely inside the office, pubs, cafeterias and " everywhere public and closed workplaces " will take effect this summer. The same smoking ban will be implemented in Wales, and Northern Ireland on April 2-4. The ban on smoking in public places has just taken effect in Scotland. In Cyprus, smoking is banned in all public places, including entertainment (restaurants, bars .), in all government buildings, public transport and private cars carrying any passenger under 16 years old. Bar owners, cafeterias, coffee shops must have a space for smokers and this space must be checked for " ventilation ".

At CH SCzech , smoking is prohibited in buses, trains and tramways , at schools, cinemas, theaters, gyms and administrative buildings. The smoking in restaurants is prohibited by "principle" laws, although many of the provisions of this law are unclear.

Smoking in Denmark is prohibited in government schools and workplaces. The government announced a ban on smoking in bars and cafeterias in 2007, but allowed larger public places to have their own smoking room. In Estonia, smoking will be banned from bars on 5-6, bars, cafes, night clubs and other catering establishments except for those with smoking rooms. Closed leaf has its own ventilation device. Smoking is also prohibited in pedestrian tunnels, public transport, including taxis.

In Finland , from June 1, the ban on smoking in bars and restaurants began to take effect. These places have a special smoking room with separate ventilation systems that will allow smoking, the smokers should not release cigarettes to a non-smoking area.

In France , smoking is banned at work, shops, schools and hospitals from January 1-2, while smoking is banned in cafes, bars and restaurants until January 2008. leaves. At cafes and restaurants still allow smoking in closed rooms without serving any food.


In Germany , on February 23, the states in this country agreed to ban smoking in public buildings but not completely banned smoking in pubs and eateries as in some other European countries. .


In Greece , a number of smoking bans have been introduced, including laws banning smoking completely in special public places, but there are still separate places for smokers. Smoking is prohibited at public transport. In Hungary, at the workplace need to design a smoking area. In Iceland, it is forbidden to completely smoke leaves at work, including bars and restaurants and does not design private rooms for smokers. The ban on smoking does not apply to bedrooms in hotels, prisons or mental hospitals.

In Italy, smoking is banned in educational institutions, except for universities where smoking is available - and hospitals. At cafes, restaurants and other catering establishments, cardrooms and casinos, the owners build a non-smoking room with an area of ​​less than 50% of the entire business establishment. .

In Lithuania , from day 1 to 1, no smoking is allowed in bars, cafes, clubs and discotheques. Smoking in other public places will be banned from January 1, 2008. In Luxembourg, smoking is banned in certain public places, especially in bars, although private smoking rooms are allowed to be used if they account for less than 25% of the business area. joint. Completely prohibit smoking at schools, public buildings, buses and trains.

Smoking in Malta is prohibited in any enclosed public or private housing area, including workplaces. Smoking in the Netherlands prohibits smoking at work, except bars and restaurants. In Portugal, smoking is strictly prohibited at health care facilities, education, government agencies, theaters and theaters. Smoking is forbidden on buses, trains, and taxis if the trip lasts less than an hour.

In Slovenia , smoking is banned in hospitals and schools; restrict smoking in public places, except in restaurants where smoking areas are specified. In Slovakia, business owners must ban smoking at work, where there are no smoking staff. Smoking is strictly prohibited at schools and hospitals, and in restaurants and other facilities that serve compulsory meals where no smoking is required.

In Spain , the ban on smoking is applied to bars and eateries more than 100 m2. In Sweden, in fact most workplaces (except where the smoking room is regulated) are places where smoking is prohibited. In this country, smoking is prohibited in hospitals and on public transport. Hotels with non-smoking rooms for their guests. Since June 2005, all restaurants, bars, night clubs, cafes . are places where smoking is prohibited.