This Wednesday (6th May), the law that 30% of Croatians have been dreading (and the other 70% have been praying for) comes into effect – it will be illegal to smoke inside any public areas, such as bars, cafes and restaurants (hospitals and the like have had this regulation for some time now). Smokers will still be able to light-up on any outside spaces which, since the warm weather has arrived, giving locals a chance to enjoy the cafe tables outside, will allow them to adapt to the new restrictions.
The fines, if caught smoking in the wrong place, will be 1000kn (about US$200) for the smoker and 30,000kn (about US$6,000) for the owner of the premises. Given the Croatian government’s shaking financial situation, don’t be surprised to see the inspectors out in force, raising revenue. If you are coming to Croatia for the summer just keep it in mind.
(Tobacco served a more sinister role in the former Yugoslav states during the 90s – the smuggling of cigarettes into Western Europe funded many of the murderous paramilitaries.)
Addendum: The Croatian parliament doesn’t believe in linear progress towards some perfect set of laws. Why write a law when you can re-write 2 or 3 times – it keeps us all on our toes. Sunday Trading and Drunk Driving Laws have changed several times. The same goes for the Smoking Laws.
Next month, Croatia’s anti-smoking laws will take effect and lighting up in most bars will be restricted.
The anti-smoking law first went into effect in May 2009 (as described above). But the smoking ban in bars lasted for only 156 days. Using the financial crisis as an excuse (due to a significant loss in tax revenue), as well as smoking lobby pressure, the government decided to re-allow smoking in bars until April 9 this year.
So the smoking ban in bars re-starts on April 9.
But its not so simple. According to the new laws, all bars with more than 50sqm will have to have separate smoking and non-smoking areas as well as better ventilation systems. Bars owners with less than 50sqm can make up their own minds but will need special ventilation systems if they allow smoking plus Ministry of Health permission.
Popularity: 1%
Miquel
May 2nd, 2009
30%?!! Really? Only 30% of the population smoke? That simply blows my mind. Given the number of tourists that come in to Croatia, I thought the figure would be more like 128% percent that smoked. Thank god for the law though. Now I won’t smell like a cheap hooker after coming home from a night out in the Crescent Country. What about trains? Still allowed allowed to smoke in some cars?
Sea Kayak Croatia
May 2nd, 2009
That’s what the official numbers say – but I think that includes 100% of the pregnant women!
From what I understand, there is to be no smoking inside trains either – but I will check.