BRATISLAVA, May 27, (WEBNOVINY) — As of next year, cigarette smoke from open cafes should no longer disturb shoppers at shopping malls. Health Minister Ivan Uhliarik (KDH) has sent to interdepartmental review an amendment to the law on protection of non-smokers. If the revision goes through, it will no longer be possible to smoke at open premises in shopping malls. Owners of cafes and restaurants will be obliged to construct a barrier to physically separate the smoking part from the part for non-smokers. “Over 7,300 non-smokers die in Europe on an annual basis as consequence of secondhand smoke while in Slovakia it is about 500 non-smokers annually,” Uhliarik told journalists on Friday adding that they have the duty to protect those who cannot defend themselves and first of all children.
The amendment also hikes fines for breaching the law, which should be higher as of next year if the revision is approved. The minimum fine will jump from the current EUR 3,030 to EUR 5,331. However, inspectors will be able to impose fines of up to EUR 15,000. Reacting to the arguments that the proposed fines are too high, the minister argued that the cost of monthly treatment of a patient with cancer is several times higher than the fine. The revision limits as well the sale of tobacco products in food markets. As of 2012, their sale should be concentrated at one place, which the minister believes will enable to better control the ban on selling tobacco products to minors. The amendment is also to completely ban smoking in schools, school facilities, and at playgrounds.
SITA