Smoking ban imposed in public places in Bulgaria

Sofia: After several failed attempts from restaurant owners, Bulgaria`s Parliament has finally adopted a total ban on smoking in indoor public places.

The ban, which was approved today and comes into force one June 1, has stirred discontent among many Bulgarians, at least 40 per cent of whom are believed to smoke.

Bulgaria`s smoky restaurants and cafes are at the heart of the social life in this traditional tobacco-growing European Union country of 7.3 million.
Many owners of such establishments fear the ban will scare away customers and ruin their businesses, already struggling because of the economic slowdown.

PTI