[Intl-tobacco] Anti-smoking campaign meets with mixed reception in Greece

Mon, 03 Jun 2002 11:57:29 -0700

Anti-smoking campaign meets with mixed reception in Greece
Athens News Agency, May 31, 2002
http://hoovnews.hoovers.com/fp.asp?layout=displaynews&doc_id=NR20020603670.4_ad41000e4c6d984c

An anti-smoking campaign launched by the Greek government on World
No-Smoking Day met with a mixed reception in the country on Friday,
with Parliament pledging its support but warning against excesses
and the local tobacco industry concerned that the new rules would
sabotage its recent recovery. Health Minister Alekos Papadopoulos
on Thursday announced a ban on all cigarette advertising as of
January 2003 and strict rules on smoking in public

Addressing Parliament on Friday, Parliament Speaker Apostolos
Kaklamanis said the House gave its consent to the no-smoking
campaign " but without the extremes seen in other countries." He
called for educational measures that would inform young people of
the devastating consequences of smoking "with the mutual respect of
smokers and non-smokers, " and said Greek society would not go to
the lengths seen in the United States "where smokers feel like the
dregs of society." The health ministry's announcements have been
strongly opposed by the local tobacco industry, meanwhile

Agriculture Minister George Drys said on Friday that there was a
big problem among tobacco farmers

"I am basically in favour of Greek tobacco growers but I cannot
ignore the health considerations cited by supporters of the
anti-smoking campaign, " he told reporters

After meeting the health minister, Drys said they had decided to
follow the European Union's directives on this issue and
simultaneously adopt measures to support the income of tobacco
farmers

Local cigarette manufacturers and kiosk owner unions were equally
vehemently opposed to the reforms during a meeting with the
minister on Thursday

Local brands warned that their recent recovery might have the wind
taken out of its sails by the measures, with more of their market
share taken by foreign brands, without a significant impact on
smoking levels

As of October, restaurants and coffee shops must provide at least
half their space to non-smokers. Smoking will also be banned on
public transport and taxis and public buildings. Bars open late at
night and traditional coffee houses will be exempt from the rules

INKA to organise European anti-smoking campaign in Greece The
consumer group INKA will be in charge of events in Greece for a
European campaign for the prevention of smoking among young people,
beginngin on World No-Smoking Day on Friday

The group noted that alcohol consumption and smoking levels among
Greek youths were the highest in Europe, as were levels for the
"overuse" of tobacco that is considered a significant cause of
disease and premature death

The campaign will include programmes on radio and television, TV
messages, competitions among young people, the circulation of
printed matter and other events

Among these will be a football match pitting 'smokers' against
'non-smokers' that will take place at Athens College on Friday
evening, with a number of celebrities taking part

Finally, the group revealed the results of a survey showing that a
large amount of pocket money was a key factor in the consumption of
cigarettes, alcohol and a bad dietary pattern among children

Cigarettes and alcohol began to be consumed by children between the
ages of seven and nine, increased among children aged 10-12 and
peaked at the ages of 13-15 and 16-18

Up to the age of 12, children devoted 11 per cent of their pocket
money to buying cigarettes and alcohol, up to 32 per cent between
the ages of 13-15 and 47 per cent from the ages of 16-18. 