Macedonian Pubs Protest Anti-Smoking Law

Owners say the ban on smoking, introduced in the New Year, is dealing a severe blow to their businesses. Most establishments will remain closed for the whole day.

"We warn that the anti-smoking law is likely to result in the closure of pubs and restaurants, staff layoffs and utter collapse of the sector,” the head of the caterers' association, Darko Danilov told press on Thursday.

He said business has dropped between 40 to 70 per cent since the introduction of the law.

Official figures show that nearly half of all adults in Macedonia smoke.

The new law prohibits smoking in virtually all enclosed public areas in Macedonia. Even the open terraces of restaurants and bars are non smoking areas. The fine for being caught smoking is up to 300 euros and up to 4000 euros for establishment owners, making it one of the strictest anti smoking laws when taking into account average salaries in the world.

“As the one responsible for the health of the population I stand behind the medical facts that smoking presents a health hazard. I continue to believe that the 100 percent ban should stay,” Health Minister Bujar Osmani said on Friday.

However, the main ruling VMRO DPMNE party has already cracked under public pressure from the smokers and the hospitality industry, and suggested amendments to the law that would allow smoking in outdoor spaces of cafes, terraces and other objects with no roofs during the spring and summer months.