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Anastasia Balezdrova

Eight months have passed since the introduction of another ban on smoking in public places in Greece. The country was supposed to say goodbye to cigarette smoke a year earlier, on the 1^st of July, 2009, but despite the law the Greeks did abandon the bad habit.

The new ban was enforces early last September. The ashtrays disappeared from the restaurant tables during the first few weeks, but gradually have begun to appear again. The inspections have been reduced drastically and many mayors have complained of lack of staff, but it was more than clear that none of them wanted to lose votes in the local elections in November.

To smoke or not to smoke? The question was raised not at one or two discussions. "Greeks love the company, to sip a drink and smoke. This is part of our mentality," is the opinion of a very modern grandmother of four grandchildren. "Our wages have been cut, the prices have increased, and our life has changed significantly. This is the only pleasure we have," say most of the opponents of the ban while tipping the ash in specially designed ashtrays, the camouflage of which is so good that they can easily be taken for candleholders or small vases.

Vassilis Georgiadis, owner of one of the most central and popular establishments on Aristotle Square in Thessaloniki told GRReporter about the consequences of that ban.

"First, we had a fall in turnover by over 50% from the first day and not just our establishment. People stopped by, they saw that there were no ashtrays on the tables and asked whether they can smoke. When they saw the sign they did not even step inside but went to other establishments that had not put the sign and had not removed the ashtrays from the tables. In other words, they worked on behalf of the establishments that complied with the smoking ban. As you understand, we are talking about unfair competition."

Vassilis said that this serious decline in work led to reduction in staff salaries and even layoffs. According to him, the authorities check on the compliance with the ban, but not everywhere.

"Almost no inspections are made in the neighbourhood cafes, but here on Aristotle Square, which could be called the "face" of Thessaloniki inspections are very common and so are the complaints. I can not understand what prevents the inspection authorities to inspect the neighbourhood cafes too. Doesn’t the owners who know that they will never be inspected and puts ashtrays on the tables in the morning fall under the unfair competition category?"

Vassilis and his colleagues believe that the direction of the smoking ban is completely wrong.

"What we are discussing with our colleagues and customers is that each establishment should be provided the opportunity to decide whether it will be a smoking or non-smoking one. Those establishment that choose to be non-smoking could be granted preferences, or any incentives, and those for smokers could pay an annual amount, for example one thousand euros as compensation. And this money could be used for organizing a campaign against smoking or to be granted to orphanages. Unfortunately, I do not see anyone dealing seriously with this. The purpose of the measure is not to protect the public health. The efforts can not begin in the establishment where the customers come willingly to meet their friends." According to articles in the Greek press, the government was prepared to change the law in this direction a few months ago, but the Health Minister Andreas Loverdos explicitly refused these scenarios.

Vassilis believes that the smoking ban could have a quite different from the apparent purpose.

"Probably the intentions are to push us so much so that to close the establishment and then foreign chains to enter and to settle in the "virgin territory". They probably want to close us to "chase" those establishments that do not pay taxes and could even be part of the informal economy, while foreign chains will be "controlled" more easily. They will pay VAT, issue receipts and ensure all their employees. I am just saying that they could seek to achieve this in a roundabout way. On the other hand, if we close the square will become deserted and will turn into the haunt of addicts and criminals. We maintain the center of Thessaloniki, not the municipality or the government.

I think that imposing such measures is wrong. We used to have fun that way and going out for a cup of coffee is part of our culture. These establishments are the "industry" of Greece now. Let them try to close them and we will see what will happen. Therefore, I strongly oppose this measure and I think that we and our customers should be given the right to choose."

Surprisingly or not his opinion is supported by the non-smoker George, who believes that the law on the ban will not lead to the desired results.

"It all depends on how much we respect the people around us. I respect the desire of a smoker to smoke a cigarette with a cup of coffee or after lunch. But smokers should be aware that it is impossible to smoke a whole package at once, obliging the others to breathe the smoke from their cigarettes."

According to George, who was a smoker years ago though not passionate one, the government should reconsider its position on the establishments. "They should have smoking and non smoking area. This can be achieved in many ways. For example, ventilated areas or by separating the two areas with a screen.

It takes time for people to change their habits. I see how some colleagues at work who smoke comply with us. But there are others who do not particularly think about it." According to George, smoking should be absolutely banned in all other public places.