Beginning next month, Crete's legions of tobacco addicts, which, percentage wise, rank around the highest number in the European Union, will be faced with a major dilemma.

That's when the new, rigid anti-smoking law goes into effect throughout Greece. And, according to officials, the law will be enforced on a regular basis.

For the record, beginning July 1 smoking will be prohibited in all work places, restaurants and bars, waiting rooms, airports, taxis and mass transport . . . in other words, in all public places.

However, the law provides that owners of restaurants and bars of less than 70 square metres can choose to be either smoking or non-smoking.

According to the new measure, cigarette outlaws will be fined 300 euros for smoking in any prohibited area, and, business owners who allow the "crime" to be committed on their premises will be socked with a hefty 3,000 euro fine and loss of license. The bill also prohibits selling tobacco products to minors and their entrance to bars.

In stating just how serious the government is about this new measure, Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos stated emphatically: "From 1 July Greece extinguishes the cigarette without any hidden agendas!"

And, president of democracy Karolos Papoulias declared: "We all have a duty and an obligation to work and to cooperate effectively and stop this lethal epidemic of smoking."

Mr. Avramopoulos stressed that smoking is accountable for 700,000 days of hospitalisation in the National Health System, and the illnesses that it causes cost annually 2.14 billion euros to the state.

The minister explained that international studies have shown that the progressive adaptation of smokers in a new reality is successful and contributes to combat passive smoking.

  According to a study by the Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine, six in 10 smokers, and almost all non-smokers, consider the measure a positive move. The survey also showed that 10 percent of smokers vowed to stop smoking because of the new measures, and 43 percent said they will cut down.

While national government officials seem well tuned into the new law, local officials are still waiting to be briefed as to its provisions and enforcement procedures.

Nikos Kampanis, manager for sanitary code control at the Iraklion Public Health division of the Health Ministry, said they are awaiting a plan of action for the application of the new law.

"There hasn't been an official briefing yet," he told The Khronicles. "The only information we have is in regard to businesses whose licenses involve the health code, and which are up to 70 square metres, where they must choose to be smoking or non-smoking." He explained that the owners must obtain from the appointed demos office the appropriate no-smoking signs, and display them in the premises. We are expecting new official documents, hopefully this month."

(A check with a local town hall official unveiled (at the time of this writing) that they have no knowledge of these signs.)

Also, Yiannis Kyriakakis, adjutant to the Iraklion police chief, stated that the police have not been briefed yet regarding the July 1 smoking ban in public areas. 

Public reaction to the new bill, according to The Khronicles' own survey encompassing N. Alikarnassos, Gouves, Hersonissos and Malia, showed that the vast majority of people – smokers and non-smokers alike – said they were in favour of the measure.

"I am a smoker for many years, however I agree with the measures that will be taken regarding all public spaces," said Yiorgos Fragakis, a hotel owner.   "And this will not stop the foreigners from going to restaurants and shops, since they respect public places even more than us locals."

Mrs. Sybille Belivani, owner of a sporting goods shop, commented: "I do not smoke, but there must be a correct upbringing by the family so that people never even start to smoke. Regarding the fines, I believe that it should apply to all restaurants and shops, although I don't think it would make a difference and stop people from smoking."

Mrs. Maria Kalliataki, a pharmacy clerk, said: "I absolutely agree with the new anti-smoking law. The fines should not just be for the owners but for the customers as well."

While nearly everyone seems to be supporting the law, there is also some underlined scepticism regarding how a bar or restaurant owner will deal with an offending patron, especially if said patron had one too many libations.

Then, too, you have some outright defiance. "Just try to stop me from smoking when and where I want," said one soon-to-be outlaw, who, bravely, refused to be identified.

Perhaps he will lead a new brigade of smokers in hooded sweatshirts!