As summer terraces close, people continue to smoke in places where it should not be allowed. That is because the strict measures announced in the new law on protection from tobacco smoke have yet to take effect.
Although the law was expected to take effect on March 1, it has been stalled in Parliament for months.
Të lidhura
None found
Businesses have raised the strongest objections to the law.
Citizens are divided: some oppose a ban on smoking in cafes and cannot imagine having coffee without a cigarette, while others want better conditions and a safe environment for nonsmokers.
One citizen said: “No. Why else is the cafe open? How are you supposed to drink coffee with a cigarette outside in -20C? It should be allowed inside, as it was in the former Yugoslavia. We are not in Europe yet, but we adopt European customs. Where else does this happen? Only in Macedonia. Why does he pay taxes to the state?”
Another citizen said: “I don’t think it should be banned, but cafes should have good ventilation so it doesn’t bother people who don’t smoke.”
A third added: “Yes, because there are people who don’t smoke and it bothers them. There should be separate areas for smokers and nonsmokers. That would be a little better.”
The anti-smoking bill was drafted by the Ministry of Health.
It has passed its second reading in the Health Committee, but it was softened during parliamentary consideration compared with the original version, which was considerably stricter. Instead of a total ban on smoking in hospitality venues, the bill now provides for designated smoking terraces.
These terraces must be open on at least two sides and have an open roof. There will also be separate entrances for nonsmokers. Businesses will have one year to comply with these requirements.
A total ban will apply in enclosed spaces, at bus and train stations, and in vehicles when a child is travelling in them. Outside certain institutions, smoking will be allowed only at a distance of at least 20 metres.
The law regulates only tobacco consumption; it does not ban the production, import, export or sale of tobacco products and electronic devices.
