Smoking ban nears; health costs hefty
With Greece’s next attempt at implementing a smoking ban in public places starting in a few weeks, figures show that more than just lungs will get a breather. Smoking-related illnesses take a toll on Greece’s national health system to the tune of 700,000 hospital days per year, which costs the state 2.14 billion euros a year. That is a steep financial burden, given that the government is slashing costs in healthcare in a bid to get its fiscal finances back in order. The restrictions start September 1 and are Greece’s third attempt to implement a tobacco ban since 2002.
