Smoking restrictions- finally.

One thing that I still find hard to adjust to while living in Greece is that people are typically allowed to smoke wherever they want. It seems that bar/restaurant and other business owners have been reluctant to ban smoking for fear of losing business. In fact, while patronizing a local pethotopo (cafe/play center), I noticed that there were "no smoking" signs present, but yet, customers were smoking as if they were entitled to the right... never mind that the signs were posted in a business which is centered around children playing. So, I asked the owner why she didn't enforce the nonsmoking policy that she had posted and she simply said, "because no one would come here if they couldn't smoke." I know plenty of people that would actually prefer a nonsmoking policy, those that don't want expose their children or themselves to the harmful effects of second hand smoke if it can be avoided. Currently, it's nearly impossible to avoid second hand smoke if you want to go anywhere.

It seems that there's a glimmer of hope because starting July 1, 2009 severe restrictions for smoking in closed public places will be imposed. Read this article for more details.