Tobacco control

The conservative government's plan to strictly crack down on establishments and individuals violating a ban on smoking in public places is proceeding rapidly, with inspectors to be equipped with fine books in due course. 

Smokers in Austria will no longer be able to smoke a cigarette while drinking coffee at local restaurants, bars or cafes. As of 01.11.2019, the smoking is banned under a law passed in the summer, world agencies have reported.

The cigarette black market in Romania fell in September below 11pct of the total consumption, for the first time in the last ten years, due to the sharp reduction in "no-name" products, show the findings of the Novel research, made public on Thursday. At the national level, the illegal trade in cigarettes thus reached 10.5pct, down 3.2 percentage points compared to July this year.

Greek state officials launched intensified inspections on cafes and bars over the long weekend to determine whether a ban on smoking in public places is being observed.

Interview with Mila Marechkova, Head of Marketing Operations in British American Tobacco Bulgaria:

The most recent results of the Empty Pack Survey that measures the levels of illegal trade in our country were just presented. How will you comment on them?

Over 62 tonnes of cut tobacco have been detained by the Customs and the Ministry of the Interior, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov told a press conference on the results of an empty pack survey showing trends and levels of illicit cigarette trafficking in the second quarter of 2019, Focus News Agency reported.

Lawmakers on Tuesday will be voting on the government's new law for clamping down on smoking in public, which also introduces stricter bans and stiffer fines than the previous, much-flouted legislation.

If the Health Ministry draft bill is ratified, as expected, the new law will go into effect the following day.

People will be able to report violations of the smoking ban on a three-digit number, according to Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias, who reiterated the government's intention to enforce the relevant law.

Over 8,000,000 pieces of illegal cigarettes were seized as part of a joint operation by the State Security Service and the Customs Agency.

Cigarettes and cigarette-free tobacco were seized by police in Haskovo

A Health Ministry draft law that is under public consultation until Wednesday seeks to further strengthen Greece's much-flouted ban on smoking in indoor public areas by expanding its scope and enlisting the help of the police.