User:Peanutbutter345/sandbox

I have chosen to develop the article "Smoking in Greece."

The two main aspects I'm thinking of developing are the agreement with Harvard to help develop anti-tobacco policies and raising awareness against smoking. I would also like to start a section on the effect of these laws today and potentially to what extent they are observed in theory and in practice.

Very good RJBazell (talk) 17:21, 14 October 2018 (UTC)

The article:

As of 2014, Greece has the highest rate of smoking in the European Union [1]. According to a survey published by the European Commission Day for World No Tobacco Day 37% of Greeks are smokers and only 44% of Greeks have never smoked a cigarette, the smallest percentage in the EU [1]. After Greece, France and Bulgaria have the next largest number of smokers with 36%. At 7%, Sweden had the lowest rate [1].

2010 Smoking Ban

Since older legislation was not very efficient a new, stricter law was passed. Effective from September 1st, 2010, this law bans smoking and consumption of tobacco products by all means, in all working places, transportation stations, taxis and passenger ships (trains, buses etc). Smoking was already prohibited, though this law also calls for the prohibition of smoking in all enclosed public places including restaurants and night clubs, without any exception. Casinos and bars bigger than 300 square meters were given eight months to apply the law[2]. Smoking is also prohibited in atria and internal areas with removable roof-covers or tents as well as in external seating areas that are surrounded by a tent and are not open from at least two sides. Fines are particularly heavy for smokers who do not comply (fines range from 50 to 500 Euros) as well as for the working places or companies, i.e. restaurants, night clubs, pubs, etc. (fines range from 500 to 10,000 Euros). For those companies that violate the law for the 5th time in a row, the law orders for the closure of the establishment or company.

Just as the previous law was not implemented, there is no evidence that this new one is implemented and smoking is permitted in the most public places in Greece. Posted signage indicating smoking ban legislation is commonly ignored. The only exception to the law are airports. There, smoking is only permitted in special separated smoking booths equipped with separate ventilation systems and air filters. Currently only the Athens International Airport has installed such booths: one in the extra-Schengen arrival area before passport control and one in the intra-Schengen baggage claim area, both smoking booths are accessible only to arriving passengers. In all other Greek airports no smoking booths have been installed and smoking is totally prohibited inside terminal buildings.

A website[3], now not in service, and a telephone hotline for information as well as citizens to report any violations of the new law (tel: 1142) along with an extensive media campaign were created to promote the September 1 smoking ban in Greece.

The Effects of the smoking ban

Even eight years after the second phase of the ban supposedly went into effect, in July 2011, there is little evidence of the culture changing. Based on a pamphlet distributed in January of 2018 by the Ministry of Health, strict fines are in place for those smoking illegally [2]. The manager of every space that violates the anti-smoking ban, for vendors selling tobacco products to students underage and for those violating the advertising laws for tobacco products could be fined 500- 10,000 EUR. On a store's fourth violation, its license is suspended for ten days, while after the fifth violation it is revoked permanently [2]. Furthermore, the law includes that a driver may be fined up to 1,500 EUR for smoking with a minor (under 12 years of age) on board, regardless of who was smoking and it may be doubled if it is a public sector vehicle, such as a public bus [2]. Drivers may have their licenses suspended for a month after each violation [2].

However, these are never enforced, because they are never reported. It is obvious that university buildings, cafes, bars and even hospital offices are not smoke-free areas [3]. According to the Municipality of Athens, they are not carrying out regular checks, due to limits in their staff [3]. The municipality has received minimal complaints, because people are disappointed and do not believe that the law will be enforced [3]. They would only investigate the issue further had more complaints or threats to sue had been received [3].

Greece- Harvard Anti-Smoking Initiative

The government signed an agreement with Harvard University to help in developing the government’s anti-tobacco policies and mounting publicity campaign [4]. In addition, the Harvard School of Public Health will help Greece conduct research, organize conferences and train all the officials who will be involved in imposing the ban [4]. The Hellenic Action through Research Against Tobacco, known as HEART, has conducted clinical research on the impact of smoking, especially on pregnant women, the effects of second-hand smoke and assessing whether creating a draft and ventilation or opening windows and doors does eliminate exposure to second hand smoke thus far [4]. The initiative also plans to raise awareness with children, as early as elementary school and create a smoke-free environment on all school grounds across the country [4].

Sources

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