And a response to Kat

I received this comment from a fellow blogger (whose website I highly recommended in a previous posting.)

Yes, and I think you might have sourced these Kathimerini articles from my numerous posts on the cost of living, just as you based your other cost of living article on things I compiled.

http://livingingreece.gr/warning-and-disclaimer/

I have no problem with you, as long as you abide by the rules set forth in my policy, which is based on copyright law and journalistic ethics. Thank you :) -- Kat, author and journalist


I would wish to point out to my colleague that I am not in the habit of stealing content from other web sites. I am a daily reader of the English version of kathimerini and I would assume that I also have a right to use these articles, like anyone else. I await your reponse.

Interesting comment and thanks to Jenai

"AHAH This should be fun. I doubt they will take notice of it. I am Greek by the way too so I know the mentality well, even though I don't smoke myself..Kali su evthomatha..
Yes, Jenai it will be interesting to see how the situation develops. We had failed attempts in the past to segregate smokers and non-smokers. I had a funny incident myself. About two years ago I walked into a taverna. I counted 30 tables, 28 were occupied - by smokers happily puffing away. As I am a smoker I asked if there was room - the no smoking sign rapidly vanished from another table - leaving a total of one non-smoking table. That's what I like, flexibility.

Greece busy turning a new (smoking) page

Well, that's the way Greek health minister, Avramopoulos, dexcribed the situation yesterday. He has warned that the government is going to be serious about enforcement of the new anti-smoking laws. In terms of our health we all know it is a good idea and as the following graph shows Greece is very much top of the charts in the percentage of the population over 15 years of age who smoke. Yesterday, the first day of the smoking ban, there was the usual chaos. The ministry helpline had a total of 10,086 calls, mainly from owners of tavernas and bars asking for information. Apparently if you premises are over 70 square meters you are obliged to declare the establishment either smoking or non-smoking. Unfortunately the appropriate stickers for the windows seem to be missing! I am sure it will sort itself out in typical Greek fashion - over a cigarette.

As of today "no smoking" laws apply in Greece

If you had asked me 10 or even 5 years ago about a smoking ban in Greece, I would simply have laughed. But today sees the introduction of smoking bans in public areas in Greece. Mind you there have been severla lame attempts in the past to try this but it never had any success. Greece has the highest number of smokers per capital in Europe, cigarettes are cheap and everybody - almost - smokes. Will the ban last, in restaurants, tavernas, clubs and bars it coudl have a negative effect with a lowering of the number of visitors and a drop in turn-over. Thsi is the last thing Greece needs at present in the middle of the current European recessions. Though it will be interesting to see how the law will be enforced.