Investigations find widespread violations of Bulgaria’s smoking ban
Six months after the introduction by Bulgaria of a full ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces such as restaurants and bars, and a few weeks after failed attempts to reverse the law, investigations by two television stations have found widespread breaches of the law.
Many restaurants were continuing to break the ban, television station bTV said on January 3 2013, saying that owners of bars and restaurants preferred to pay fines rather than deprive their customers of the chance to smoke.
Between the time that the ban came into effect, June 1 2012, and the end of December, inspectors across Bulgaria have carried out a total of 128 698 inspections.
Fines close to 190 000 leva (about 95 000 euro) have been imposed.
Most of the violations of the ban were in October, November and December 2012 as the cold weather set in. The city with the highest rate of breaches of the smoking ban was the capital, Sofia.
One place of entertainment already had been fined the maximum, of 10 000 leva, after repeated breaches of the law against smoking in public places, the report said.
In Plovdiv, more than 140 fines for smoking have been issued, and local health officials said breaches of the ban were more likely to be found where people had been drinking and, affected by alcohol consumption, were reckless about defying the law.
Public broadcaster Bulgarian National Television said that on New Year’s Eve, about 40 official complaints were lodged about the smoking ban being broken while the station’s viewers also sent in numerous messages about the ban being violated.
Anti-smoking lobby group Bulgaria Without Smoke said that in dozens of places across the country, people had lit up with the knowledge and permission of the staff.
Bulgarian National Television said that as its team visited nightspots in the capital city, people were undeterred by the presence of a television camera about smoking.
The report said that on New Year’s Eve, in many places staff handed out cups of water to be used as ashtrays. Candlesticks and vases also did duty, the report said.
(Photo: Clive Leviev-Sawyer)
Related stories:
EC proposes big horror pictures on cigarette packs, ban on flavoured tobacco
Bulgarian Parliament’s economy committee rejects move to ease total smoking ban
Bulgarian Parliament’s health committee rejects reversal of smoking ban
Protesters walk backwards to oppose backtrack on Bulgaria’s smoking ban: Photo Gallery
Bulgarian PM Borissov firmly against lifting smoking ban, ruling party MPs divided
Plain packaging and its unintended consequences
Bulgarian hoteliers and restaurateurs threaten civil disobedience unless smoking ban laws changed
Battle lines drawn as Bulgaria approaches rethink on smoking ban
Bulgarian PM hints at backtrack on smoking ban but Health Minister stands firm
Large turnout in Bulgarian capital for protest against full smoking ban in restaurants and bars
Bulgaria’s restaurants and bars invest in keeping smokers outdoors warm in the face of winter
Bulgaria’s smoking ban costing state coffers close to 230M leva, restaurant owners claim
