Greece to go smoke free startng September 1, 2010 this time with the help of Harvard School of Public Health..

No smoking..


August 30, 2010 - We reported back on June 1, 2010 that Greece, a nation of heavy smokers, is to ban smoking in all indoor public places (including bars, cafes and restaurants) from September 1, 2010 because a partial ban enacted last July failed, the health minister, Marilisa Xenogiannakopoulou, said on May 31st. (Greeks smoke in defiance of ban..; Greece - latest attempt at a smoking ban failing..)

This time Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) has signed an agreement to provide help developing the government’s anti-tobacco policies and mounting publicity campaigns. HSPH will also help Greece conduct research, organize conferences and train all the officials who will be involved in imposing the ban as well as developing strategies to foster an anti-smoking culture, particularly among children.

Research carried out by Harvard scientists measured exposure to secondhand smoke (passive smoking, involuntary smoking, SHS, environmental tobacco smoke, ETS, sidestream smoke) in hospitality sites in Greece and Cyprus, a country that went smokefree January 1, 2010, was presented at Harvard today (August 30th) and in Greece and Cyprus via a video-conference.

The scientists measured small respirable particles (RSPs) associated with exposure to secondhand smoke in bars and restaurants in Greece and Cyprus using a device called the SidePak.

Cypriot data shows a 90% reduction in RSP exposure since the country went smokefree and high levels of exposure in Greek venues (220 RSPs). The Cyprus data provides needed scientific evidence for the new law. HSPH will conduct follow-up research after the new law and conduct research on improvement in health among Greek hospitality workers.

This project has been funded by the Behrakis Foundation.

Reference: Press Event: Greece to Announce a Smoke Free Country with the help of HSPH Scientists, Harvard School of Public health, 8/30/2010.

Some Greece related news briefs:
Harvard SPH to help Greece with smoking ban..;
Greece - to try again to ban smoking in all indoor public places..;
Greece - another increase in tobacco taxes can be expected..;
Greece - trusty kiosks to shut in tobacco tax protest..;
Greeks smoke in defiance of ban..;
Greece - latest attempt at a smoking ban failing..;
Greek Farmers Renew Bulgaria Border Blockade..;
E-cigarettes - scientists want more safety studies before use..;
Greece - to increase tax on tobacco and alcohol..;
Greece - smoking ban, re-examining the legal framework supporting it..;
Pregnant women exposed to passive smoke greater chance of child will have respiratory distress..;
Greek betting firm - July 1st smoking ban has resulted in a further fall in sales..;
Greece - will the July 1st smoking ban work??;
Greece - ban on smoking in workplace starts July 1, 2009..;
Greece starts anti-smoking campaign..;
Greece May Have the Highest Cigarette Consumption Per Person in the World...
(Hellenic Republic, Greek)