Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-07-01

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Smoking ban enters into effect in Greece

[02] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] Smoking ban enters into effect in Greece

Health minister Dimitris Avramopoulos noted in a message that "smoking is the biggest contributor to the mortality rate in Greece, causing 20,000 deaths annually, while passive smoking is responsible for the loss of 700 lives each year".

The law also prohibits the sale of tobacco to and by minors, the use of tobacco products in all enclosed public spaces, airports, public transport stations and on public transport means, and snack shops, etc. Smoking areas may be designated provided the areas are separated from the rest of the premises and have special airing installations put in.

Violations of the prohibition on selling tobacco products to minors carry fines of up to 1,000 euros, which is doubled for a second-time offence, and could lead to rescinding of a licence to sell tobacco and alcohol and a fine of up to 20,000 euros for a third-time offence.

Violation of the smoking ban carries a first-time fine of up to 500 euros, depending on the severity of the transgression

[02] Athens Newspaper Headlines

The ban on smoking in all public areas that enters into effect Wednesday and the Siemens scandal were the main front-page items in Athens' newspapers on Wednesday.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Greece without cigarettes! Prohibition of smoking in enclosed spaces, public services, etc. as of today (Wednesday, July 1)".

APOGEVMATINI: "Investment boom in energy - 13.5 million euros by PPC (Public Power Corporation) by 2014 - Warm message by prime minister Costas Karamanlis".

AVGHI: "The market stifling - Retail turnover collapsing, banks 'choking' households and businesses".

AVRIANI: "Michalis Christoforakos' (fugitive Siemens Hellas former CEO who was recently arrested in Germany on an international arrest warrant issued by Greece) two CDs will determine the outcome - Terror in political parties and among senior political officials over the anticipated storm of revelations".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "The smoke lights fires - General ban until the public spaces, companies and shops adapt".

ESTIA: "Disengagement of the Presidential election - What PASOK and Papandreou had said".

ETHNOS: "University entry exams' base passing grades on upward spiral".

KATHIMERINI: "Increased pressure on Turkey - (European Commission vice president responsible for justice, freedom and security issues Jacques) Barrot: We have ascertained complicity among people-traffickers and local authorities (in Turkey)".

RIZOSPASTIS: "The people must demand their rights, now - No more wasted time on the new burning measures".

TA NEA: "German prosecutor to Christoforakos: Hand over the CDs with all the names (of the kickback and bribe recipients)".

TO VIMA: "Siemens 'pandemic' hits the parties - Worry, awkwardness, reactions".

VRADYNI: "Record rise in base passing grades for the popular (university) Schools".

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article