Cigarette ban is not voluntary
Smoking is now banned in all public indoor spaces in Greece. It may be a harsh piece of legislation but it is the law nevertheless. In a democratic state, laws must be enforced without exception or deviation. They are to be applied across the country, 365 days a year. That also applies to the period ahead of local elections, as the case is now. If the PASOK administration of Prime Minister George Papandreou has any respect for democracy, it must immediately respond to the «rebellion» declared by the owners of many shops, cafes and restaurants across the country who are flaunting the government’s prohibition on smoking in public places, and implement the law to the full. If the municipal police turn a blind eye on numerous violations due to political expediency (as we are in pre-election period), the Greek police should enforce what Parliament has legislated in accordance with democratic regulations. Breaking the law must not be the rule in this country.
