Bulgaria to Introduce Full Smoking Ban June 2012

Bulgaria will introduce a full smoking ban for closed public areas on June 1 2012, the country's Health Minister Stefan Konstantinov has reiterated. On Wednesday, Konstantinov will submit his proposal for a full smoking ban to the country's Council of Ministers. "The Ministry of healthcare is fighting to make Bulgaria's people healthier," Konstantinov told the Bulgarian National Television early on Tuesday, pointing out that the system's main aim is to prevent the population from getting sick rather than treat it when it already suffers from illnesses. Konstantinov stated that his proposal will be backed by the Council of Ministers, since the potential costs for medical treatment of tobacco smokers would otherwise greatly exceed what could be gathered by the state in terms of cigarette excise taxes. In the beginning of January 2011, Bulgoria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov endorsed the idea of a full smoking ban in bars and caffes until 11:30 PM. Such a measure was to be enforced in 2010, but was postponed by the government with the argument that it might harm the country's tourism. According to the current restrictions that entered into effect on December 19, 2010, indoor smoking in restaurants, clubs, bars, hotels, railroad stations, airports, malls, offices and schools is allowed only in separate spaces with closing doors.