Bulgaria will introduce a complete ban on smoking in public areas in cafes and restaurants covering less than 50 square metres, coming into effect in June 2011.
The move was agreed during a meeting between Prime Minister Boiko Borissov and his Health Minister.
The decision was immediately opposed by small-size businesses, which said that the new restriction would produce a wave of bankruptcies.
According to the owners, the new regulations only cater for the interests of larger ...
Bulgaria will introduce a complete ban on smoking in public areas in cafes and restaurants covering less than 50 square metres, coming into effect in June 2011.
The move was agreed during a meeting between Prime Minister Boiko Borissov and his Health Minister.
The decision was immediately opposed by small-size businesses, which said that the new restriction would produce a wave of bankruptcies.
According to the owners, the new regulations only cater for the interests of larger operators.
Currently, the decision on whether to adopt the smoking ban in cafes and restaurants spanning less than 50 square metres is left up to the owners.
The ban will mainly affect small local cafes and pubs that are frequented mostly by smokers.
Public feeling is that it is not a good thing preferring the existing arrangement where it is at the discresion of the management. The tv news was full of reports where businesses already adopting the total ban are experiencing falls in income. The talk was of continuing to smoke even if the ban is introduced as was the case when it was tried in 2004. Take from this what you will, 70% of the population smoke.