Poland set to introduce strict new smoking ban

Sun, 14 Nov 2010

Warsaw - Poland was on Sunday getting ready to introduce a strict new smoking ban, with the practice to be banned in most public places from Monday.

In hospitals, schools and sports clubs, smokers will have to go without completely. They will only be able to indulge their habit in pubs and clubs with a second room that can be set aside for them.

Smoking areas can also be set up in workplaces, hotels, universities and train stations.

Those who violate the law, passed by parliament in March, will be liable to receive a fine of up to 500 zloty (174 dollars).

Institutions that fail to hang up no-smoking signs can be fined up to 2,000 zloty.

Authorities will pursue a policy of education rather than strict enforcement at first.

"We won't be carrying out any raids," deputy health inspector Jan Orgelbrand said.

According to the Health Ministry, there are around 10 million smokers in the country - or one in four Poles. Deaths from smoking- related diseases number around 40,000 every year.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/353478,strict-new-smoking-ban.html.