In an announcement that was met with great hilarity among some local residents in Crete, the government revealed new measures which will allow people only to smoke outdoors beginning this September. 

In the strictest anti-smoking regulations introduced in the country so far, no smoking will be allowed in any public places, which means that bars, clubs and restaurants will not be allowed to have smoking and nonsmoking areas and firms will no longer be able to have smoking rooms on their premises…meaning employees will have to go outside to have a cigarette, as already happens in many European countries.

These new “no smoking” measures supersede the smoking ban launched last summer by the former administration, which was deemed unenforceable due to its convoluted rules.

“This time the measures will be strictly enforced by the police, the municipal police and the coast guard,” an official said. The size of the fines will be calculated at a later date.

It is the government's third attempt to implement a tobacco ban since 2002, but with few checks or disciplinary measures in place in the past, Greeks have been quick to break the law.

In a random survey by this reporter, local residents were asked to comment about the new law. Following are some of the remarks:

Nikos Skoulatakis, a private employee from Iraklion, unable to contain a big smile, said: “It’s a joke, really. Greece has proven itself to be an unreliable country and any laws the country tries to impose, at the end, remain inapplicable. Most likely, the anti-smoking measures will not work again.”

Alkiviadis Tsafandakis, pensioner from Malia said: “I believe the new measures will produce results. At last, let’s stop paying to destroy our health. Isn’t our daily stress enough, which now has risen, given the economic crisis, but now we insist to self-destruct at an earlier age?“

Meanwhile, Mrs. Anna Maliotaki from Hersonissos, a civil servant, said: “I really wish the anti-smoking law to succeed this time. I don’t smoke but I’m forced daily to inhale the smoke of others. This bad habit must decrease. It will make a difference in people’s health, as well as their pockets, particularly these difficult days. Greeks must realise that unnecessary expenses are no longer possible.