Tobacco News on Online-Cigarettes-Shop.com

Smokers in Cyprus, which ranks second among the 27 countries of the European Union in smoking prevalence, will wake up on New Year's Day to some of the toughest anti-smoking regulations in Europe.

As of midnight on Thursday, a strict new amendment to an existing law totally banning smoking in public places will come into force. The measure will mean that smoking will not be allowed indoors in restaurants, cafes, pubs and hotels.

The previous version of the law allowed smoking in separate "moking areas" in public places.

About 39 percent of Cypriots -- the second highest smoking rate in Europe after Greece's 42 per cent -- are habitual smokers.

The amendment to the 2002 anti-smoking law was passed a few months ago after a long struggle.

Pro-smoking legislators had insisted on allowing smoking in separate sections of restaurants and other entertainment spots equipped with special ventilation systems. But they finally went along with what has been termed as among the toughest anti-smoking laws in Europe.

The Public Entertainment Premises Association and the Hoteliers Association raised strong objections to provisions of the law but advised their members to enforce it pending discussion of demands for amending some of its measures.

Phanos Leventis, general secretary of the restaurants and nightclub owners association, an industry group representing about 3,500 businesses, voiced fears that the sector would lose customers because of the ban and said owners will almost certainly lay off workers if they see business dwindling.

"This is the toughest law in Europe after England. Maybe, our government is trying to sterilize our society, believing that in this way it is protecting the citizens," he said.

Hoteliers Association director-general Zacharias Ioannides said hotels are given the option of having "smoking" and "non-smoking" rooms and lobbies in other European countries.

Health Minister Christos Patsalides said the government will monitor the situation and may change provisions of the law if need be. But he did not make any promises.

"We are taking a very big step on this New Year. It will be difficult to change the people's life style, but there is a need to change mentality," the minister said.

The new law provides for a maximum fine of 2,000 euros for a person who is caught smoking in a public place and the same penalty for the person responsible for allowing smoking on his premises.

Police will also have the option to issue on-the-spot fines that currently stand at 37 euros (53 U.S. dollars).