A total ban on smoking to be introduced as of June 1, 2012

A total ban on smoking in indoor public places will be introduced as of June 1, 2012, announced yesterday the Minister of Health (MH), Doctor Stefan Konstantinov. He added that the date for the smoking ban will be set jointly with amendments to the Health Act. Konstantinov commented that as of June 6, throughout the entire country, thematic anti-smoking inspections will be launched on the territory of medical establishments. The Health Minister promised that if the smoking ban is violated both patients and physicians will be subject to penalties. "I realise that penalising doctors is a delicate matter but there is no other alternative. A good example should be set," explained the Minister. A fine to the amount of BGN 500 – 10,000 will be imposed on each hospital violating MH's regulations, while patients will be penalised BGN 50 - 300. The 3-month inspections will be implemented by the regional health inspection centres with the MH.

Medical establishments will be inspected as part of the national campaign "Smoke-free pregnancy'', which is organised by MH and the Second Municipal Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynaecology Sheinovo PLC with the support of the University Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital “Maichin Dom'' (Maternity Home), First Specialised Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital for Active Treatment Saint Sofia and patients' organisations. The objective of the campaign is to inform pregnant women about the damage caused by smoking and, thus, reduce prenatal risk factors.

The Ministry announced that about 60% of Bulgarian mothers smoked while they were pregnant, while only 30% of them quit smoking once they learned they were pregnant. After childbirth, almost 80% of them started smoking again within a period of 6 months. The Health Minister also released some other startling data, according to which our country ranked first in the EU in terms of the number of 15 year-old smokers based on the statistics from 2008-2009. Besides, Bulgaria ranked second in terms of the number of smokers on a daily basis - 40% of men and 19% of women.

Regarding the selection of a particular labour and delivery team, Konstantinov reminded that he intends to set the price ceiling at BGN 900.

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