Four months after its official entry into the country under a smoke-ban and after retractions and reversals, the ministries decided to take the necessary and required inspections in enclosed public places where smoking is
prohibited to safeguard public health but rather to ensure the implementation of the law.
However, recent data of controls gathered by the Health ministry, which are at the disposal of protothema.gr, show tightening of controls especially on the side of the Municipal Police. Of the 169 Municipal Police Corps across the country, 97 were thrown in the controls immediately after the notice of the minister of Health Andreas Loverdos that the findings will be recorded and disclosed so that each mechanism (and the relevant ministry) will take responsibility for the part due to it.
Intense controls but few fines
It is significant that within a week (22 - January 28) there were 2.768 nationwide smoking controls in sanitary facilities when during October-December 2010 the controls across the country have not exceeded the 6.500.
However, the "mobilization" of the Municipal Police for controls on smoking did not work as expected in terms of recording the reality. While the majority of health sites of interest, ie cafes, bars, restaurants, etc., is covered by smoke clouds, the auditors found only 249 offenders. No record available showing leniency cut only 151 in total fines of 249 violations! And showing a unprecedented will for leniency they cut only 151 fines in the total of 249 violations!
However, the total of fines for the last week of controls is 91.850 euros. During October-December 2010 the fines reached 160.400, with the lion’s share in Thessaloniki where the Municipal Police imposed fines of 57.650 euros.
source: PROTO THEMA
