Crackdown on smoking working, officials say

DURRES, Sept. 25 – Fearing tougher penalties spelled out in the new law that bans smoking indoor in all public places, waiters at restaurants and cafes in Albania’s second largest city have blocked all recent attempts by customers trying to light up while inside.
Durres is not alone. Officials across the country say the recent crackdown on smoking appears to be working – for now.
The new law, which came to power earlier this month, punishes not only restaurant and coffee owners but also the smokers themselves as well as waiters and shift supervisors.
Authorities have already fined many private companies and 13 public institutions.
The head of the Health State Inspectorate, Eltar Deda, said his inspectors had fined several ministries and other state institutions where they had found people smoking inside the buildings.
Fines have gone up to 50,000 leks (357 euro). The total amount of money levied so far is up to 120 million leks.
Institutions and private subjects have been fined not only in cases when persons have been caught smoking inside, but also when they have not put up anti-smoking announcements demanded by the new law.
Authorities are trying hard to make the smoking ban in public areas stick after a previous failed attempt during which people simply ignored the law.
Experts say the true test will be in the government’s success in levying the fines as well as to see how much the law is observed when it gets colder outside and people cannot simply sit and smoke at outdoor tables.