Smoking at stadiums and establishments to be banned as of June 1

As of June 1, a complete ban will be imposed on smoking at public places, including stadiums and summer theatres, as well as all types of restaurants, night establishments, kids playgrounds and sidewalks adjacent to schools and kindergartens, as well as offices and workplaces. The ban also includes bus and train stations. Airports with a ventilation system may be fenced off. This was decided yesterday by MPs at second reading of the amendments proposed by the Ministry of Health to the Health Act.

As expected, the measures introduced against smokers sparked a heated debate, but the opponents of the provided restrictions were only nine. Out of 107 MPs, 90 voted yes and there were 8 abstentions.

The Health Minister, Desislava Atanasova, attended the debate and the vote in the plenary hall. Afterwards, she did not hide her surprise at the high degree of emotions expressed by MPs and the exchange of colourful metaphors.

I hope that the ban will be effective and, soon, there will be other law amendments, commented Minister Atanasova. She added that the Ministry of Interior will have the tough task of penalising smokers.

Smokers breaching the new law in public spaces will have to pay fines of BGN 50 and smokers indoors will pay a fine of BGN 300- 500, for a first offence only, and up to BGN 1,000 in case of double trouble. The first fine for the owner of the establishment, which permits smoking indoors is BGN 3,000 - 5,000. A repeated incident will cost owners BGN 5,000- 10,000.

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