upport grows for total public smoking ban

MPs on the House Health Committee yesterday considered ways to improve implementation of the ban on smoking in public places, which in many cases is little more than a dead letter.

Committee Chairman Eleni Theocharous of DISY said there was a significant difference of opinion during the meeting, both among deputies and other implicated bodies.

But as she pointed out, the idea of a total smoking ban in all public areas, was the most prominent.

“This is supported by restaurateurs and nightclub owners, mainly because they would not be forced to create separate areas for smokers,” Theocharous explained.

The main differences were expressed between the political parties, which decided to examine the law proposing a total ban – submitted by Green Party leader George Perdikis. Deputies committed to offering their positions on the matter next week.

EDEK’s Marinos Sizopoulos highlighted the need for a ban in order to preserve public health, but he also referred to the state’s duty to ensure the rights of both smokers and non-smokers are respected.

Perdikis, however, repeated his accusation that personal interests were hidden behind certain deputies’ reluctance fully to implement the ban.

“It is obvious that the personal weaknesses of certain politicians, but also the intervention of personal interests, are preventing the successful implementation of a full smoking ban, a measure successfully implemented in almost all EU member states,” said Perdikis. “The total ban has worked in other states, where there has been a drastic reduction in hospital visits for respiratory problems, while nightlife was not affected at all.”

Meanwhile, the Committee also continued discussing the bill for the National Health Scheme, evaluation of which is expected to end before Christmas.

However, deputies were given no timeframes as to when the NHS would start being implemented.

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