Albania has joined 121 other countries that have started implementing a law that bans smoking in public.
The legislation which is a part of the Association and Stabilization Agreement with the European Union, is aimed at safeguarding public health by reducing rate of second-hand smoking exposure.
At a press conference in Tirana Friday, a Ministry of Health’s a panel announced that the authorities will allow an informal grace period before penalties are imposed.In the meantime a state-sponsored action will be taken to reduce the number of tobacco advertisements in public areas.
The new law also stipulated ban on all such ads.On Saturday public smoking will be banned in bars, restaurants and all public venues in the country, however enforcing of such a law will be a challenge of its own, as Albanian has one the heaviest rate of smokers in Europe.
According the Ministry of Finance, Albanians annually spend more than 300 for tobacco products.
The law also will impose age-limit for purchasing cigarettes. Selling tobacco products to minors could be a subject of fines of up to $1000. Only patients in mental institutions will be not be subjects to envisioned ban on smoking.
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