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[size=85:3lv07uvc]novinite 03 May 2010

Bulgaria's Oldest Restaurant Institutes Full Smoking Ban

The management of one of Bulgaria's oldest and most popular restaurants in downtown Sofia - (Crimea) has decided to impose full smoking ban inside the establishment.

The management sent a letter to the media notifying that beginning June 1, 2010, smoking is not allowed anywhere in the building, except in the outside garden tables and despite the recent decision by the parliamentary majority from the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party to eliminate the full smoking ban voted by the previous Parliament and supposed to become effective in the beginning of June. The ban was postponed for an undetermined time period and the current orders to have separate smoking and non-smoking rooms remained.

The decision was made unanimously. We are convinced it is the right one and we hope our example would be followed by other restaurant owners, the press release reads.

Krim,formerly the Russian Club, is situated he very heart of Sofia, inside one of the most beautiful buildings in Bulgaria's capital.

It dates from 1910 and was built by Teodor Teodorov - a distinguished Russophile, Member of the Parliament and Prime Minister of Bulgaria. Over the years the restaurant kept its fame of being one of the top attractions for bohemians in Sofia. Its regular guests included and include famous authors, artists, actors, musicians, politicians and sport stars. Ornella Mutti, Barbara de Rossi, Catherine Deneuve, Sandrine Bonnaire, Morgan Freeman, Roy Scheider, as well as film directors- Luigi Perelli, Claude Brasseur, Krzysztof Zanussi, Nikita Mikhalkov and Andrei Konchalovsky have all dined there.

ABC Property Surveyors.BG wrote:

Hi Itchyfeet,

No eggs but bread with your Pajola's.If it's a day old it's toasted.Hopefully no one has ordered the grilled mackerel as your bread ends up being toasted on the same grill! Nothing like toast with scorch lines,the essence of dead fish,vegetable oil on it and topped with a little Sharon salt when you are eating your pork! I do not joke! It took nearly 12 months to get it across that we like our meat cooked properly.he's getting the hang of it now.

Might be a Business idea this one! I could do trips to Salmonella's and if you are still well/alive a few days later we'll put you a "
We Survived Sam's!"
T-Shirt in the post! Is eating at this kind of establishment classed as a "
Extreme Sport"
? Might even E-Mail the Jack-Ass boys to see if they are interested!

They love eating fish here in Turkey as well, my idea of seafood is prawns and mussels, while the Turks like to eat the whole fish!! They tuck into the body and then turn their attention to the head of the fish, a thumb and forefinger split the head open and a tasty Turkish tongue proceeds to eat anything that is loose within the scull, I can't watch someone doing it, makes my stomach turn 360 degrees.

We go to a restaurant called Moby Dicks here in Altinkum, it is run by Pete and Bill, both of them come from Cornwall and know all about fish. Their speciality is fish and chips and it is cooked to perfection, many Brits frequent the restaurant and they are one of the busiest restaurants here. So fish and chips in Turkey is a rare thing, they also do a lovely Chicken Madras, this has my taste buds going when I walk in to eat and is also cooked to perfection. One of the few things I shall miss about living here in Turkey.

:Xmas3:

I think the young girls in Bulgaria only smoke it keep their weight down - well that is what they tell me anyway.

:Xmas4:

[size=55:3g8241n4]novinite

Public Space Smoking Ban Becomes Effective in Bulgaria

The smoking ban in public spaces became effective Sunday, the Bulgarian Health Ministry informs.

Smoking spaces inside restaurants, coffee shops and bars, in commercial and administrative buildings and in rail road stations, and airports, must have walls and tight-closing doors and good ventilation equipment.

Owners of coffee shops and restaurants with less than 50 square meters have the right to decide themselves if the establishment will be a smoking or entirely non-smoking space. In case smoking is allowed, individuals under the age of 18 would not be admitted as they are banned from smoking in all indoors spaces.

In larger establishments, at least 50% of the space must be dedicated to non-smokers.

In night clubs, smoking will be allowed at all times regardless of how large they are.

Open-space coffee shops and restaurants inside shopping malls are becoming non-smoking facilities.

Owners face fines for inadequate ventilation and lack of sings designating the non-smoking sections and the smoking ban for those under 18.

Fines for owners range from BGN 500 to BGN 10 000. Individuals, who violate the ban, would also face fines, but only if they agree to provide their ID card.

The Health Ministry further informs that despite the fact the order is effective beginning December 19, the checks of health inspectors for violations will begin after the Holidays, on January 3, 2011.

[size=55:xli7l7dd]novinite

Smoking Ban Widely Ignored in Bulgaria

Even though a smoking ban in public places came into force in Bulgaria five days ago, reporters' checks across the country have shown that it is being widely ignored.

Reports say this may be due to the delay in official checks, which will start at the beginning of next year and give an opportunity to owners of restaurants, coffee shops and bars to take advantage of the 2-week grace period and provide the necessary walls, tight-closing doors and good ventilation equipment.

The requirements will affect all smoking spaces inside commercial and administrative buildings, rail road stations and airports as well.

Owners of coffee shops and restaurants with less than 50 square meters have the right to decide whether smoking would be allowed. In case smoking is allowed, individuals under the age of 18 would not be admitted as they are banned from smoking in all indoors spaces.

In larger establishments, at least 50% of the space must be dedicated to non-smokers.

In night clubs, smoking will be allowed at all times regardless of how large they are.

Open-space coffee shops and restaurants inside shopping malls are becoming non-smoking facilities.

Owners face fines for inadequate ventilation and lack of sings designating the non-smoking sections and the smoking ban for those under 18.

Fines for owners range from BGN 500 to BGN 10,000. Individuals, who violate the ban, would also face fines, but only if they agree to provide their ID card.

Similar measures were imposed as part of a partial smoking ban in 2005 but have been widely ignored.

Bulgaria ranks second after Greece in the EU in terms of number of regular smokers as a percentage of the population, according to a Euro barometer survey.

[size=55:rqdmixr8]novinite

Bulgaria Launches Smoking Ban Checks

Even though a smoking ban in public places came into force in Bulgaria at the end of December, official checks were launched January 3 amid reports that the restrictions are being widely ignored.

The delay in official checks was meant to give an opportunity to owners of restaurants, coffee shops and bars to take advantage of the 2-week grace period and provide the necessary walls, tight-closing doors and good ventilation equipment.

The requirements will affect all smoking spaces inside commercial and administrative buildings, rail road stations and airports as well.

Owners of coffee shops and restaurants with less than 50 square meters have the right to decide whether smoking would be allowed. In case smoking is allowed, individuals under the age of 18 would not be admitted as they are banned from smoking in all indoors spaces.

In larger establishments, at least 50% of the space must be dedicated to non-smokers.

In night clubs, smoking will be allowed at all times regardless of how large they are.

Open-space coffee shops and restaurants inside shopping malls are becoming non-smoking facilities.

Owners face fines for inadequate ventilation and lack of sings designating the non-smoking sections and the smoking ban for those under 18.

Fines for owners range from BGN 500 to BGN 10,000. Individuals, who violate the ban, would also face fines, but only if they agree to provide their ID card.

Similar measures were imposed as part of a partial smoking ban in 2005 but have been widely ignored.

Bulgaria ranks second after Greece in the EU in terms of number of regular smokers as a percentage of the population, according to a Euro barometer survey.

Now there is a surprise!! Even though a smoking ban in public places came into force in Bulgaria at the end of December, official checks were launched January 3 amid reports that the restrictions are being widely ignored. Were they actually expecting people to conform immediately Guess they will have to make a few examples before it is taken seriously

Oddy

Bulgaria Launches Smoking Ban Checks

Even though a smoking ban in public places came into force in Bulgaria at the end of December, official checks were launched January 3 amid reports that the restrictions are being widely ignored.

Being a non-smoker, it is hard to understand what smoking is all about and why. I am lead to believe that the art and enjoyment of smoking is achieved by inhaleing the smoke into your lungs and then exhaleing (dictionary defination, give off vapour or fumes) some of the smoke back through the nose, but I don't think everybody does that, I think it is more a habbit built into the mind and body from a fairly young age. It's a drug and once hooked on it, it is very very difficult to give it up
I have a Son who smokes and wonders why he has never got any spare cash, because the more money he has in his pocket the more he smokes, I might add that he is not allowed to smoke in our home and he does respect that
Last summer my Wife and I were having a meal in Balchik, there were two guy's on the next table and while we were having our three course meal they got through a whole packet of fags (chain smoking) they had absolutely no respect for us and continued to puff smoke over us the whole time we were there

Back to the main topic, I wonder who and when the official checks will take place and who will implement them. If it is the police, then that is some more back pocket money for them, and don't forget that if there is a situation where they are dishing out a fine, there will have to be at least three police officers there for the share out, just like the traffic cops, if you have noticed it takes three there, one to stop you, one to interogate you and the other to sit in the car having a fag

I expect I have put the cat amongst the pigeon's here, but I am told that we are all on here to give our views

Turkey implemented a Smoking ban last year and that has had very mixed feelings here. The Turkish smokers account for 60% of the adult population and they didn't take too kindly to being ordered about by their government. The government in Ankara where invaded by Restaurant and bar owners who had seen their turnover plummet after the law was brought in. Similar fines exist here for anyone caught in the act so to speak and the police have been around to many bars and fined them for not taking any notice of the law. Other bars and restaurants have been left alone and rumours are rife to the reason this could possibly happen. A "
bung"
has been mentioned quite often though!!

[size=55:3jukq12n]novinite

Smoking Ban Stubs Out Restaurant Profits

Restaurants and bars too large to be designated as smoking zones have been hit hardest by the recently imposed ban on lighting-up, but the health lobby have cheered on the move and anticipate further restrictions as Serbia moves closer to joining the European Union

Under the smoking ban that took effect on November 11th, Serbians can no longer smoke in enclosed premises with the exception of their own homes, designated smoking areas and hospitality facilities smaller than 80m2. Larger premises must have non-smoking areas at least equal in area to smoking zones, with non-smokers seated closer to the entrance.

The government implemented the ban to further synchronise its regulations with those of the EU.
According to a straw poll of 10 restaurants of various sizes in the centre of the city conducted by SeeNews, a corporate news wire, three larger premises each around 150m2 - have experienced a revenue decline of as much as 40 per cent since the ban was imposed.

However, the manager of a popular spot in Skadarlija, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that as his business had a number of separate rooms it had remained unaffected.

Smaller café's and bars, 80m2 or less, the over-riding majority of which declared themselves smoking zones, posted no turnover drop.

Based on the experience of neighbouring countries, the sector will see a decline of between 20 and 37 per cent in the first year of the ban, the president of the Association of Belgrade Restaurant Owners, said, adding that restaurants often took as much as 18 months to adjust to reduced customer numbers.

No further smoking restrictions are likely to be imposed in Serbia for the next year or two, Nikola Dimitrijevic told SeeNews, but the EU’s agenda is to ban smoking entirely from all venues serving food by 2012.

According to official statistics, some 70 per cent of Serbia’s population are non-smokers but Dimitrijevic says the reverse holds true among visitors to restaurants and bars.

Decrying the ban Dimitrijevic claimed that bars and café's would become duller places without smoking. “Things always get on the boring side when we start to look like one another,” he told Belgrade Insight.

Some 73 million cigarettes are smoked each day in Serbia, around ten cigarettes for every man woman and child, costing smokers some €3.1 million Euro daily, data from a local NGO showed. Research has shown that smokers live 10 years less on average than non-smokers. Smoking is the leading cause of premature death, Serbian Public Health Association data shows.

The president of the Serbian Association of Employers says little can be done to offset the revenue loss but that the government could be more flexible over some of the associated regulations.

“The government should not insist that bars and restaurants have to display smoking and non-smoking signs at every single table. These stickers, or signs, are not easy on the eye, and... they ruin the aesthetics of the venues,” Nebojsa Atanackovic said.

“We also suggest that the government starts offering a form of tax relief to those venues that have non-smoking areas because it is obvious that turnover is down in these spots,” Atanackovic said. The turnover in restaurants in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Nis, Subotica, Sombor, Smederevo and Kragujevac has dropped by up to 55 per cent since the implementation of the ban with the most severe effect being felt in retail centres, the employers association said on December 29th.

Although the ban does not protect non-smokers from second hand smoke - proper ventilation and full isolation between the two areas are optional - the head of Kragujevac-based Non-Smokers Educational Centre says the restriction is fair to both groups.

“With the enforcement of this ban, non-smokers were, for the first time in history, given some kind of rights in this country, including the right to be non-smokers,” Milija Pajevic told Belgrade Insight.

He called for the government to introduce wider-ranging legislation. “We are not satisfied that the ban does not prohibit smoking in all public places, including the streets, as such a step would make it much more effective,” Pajevic said. He added that the ban has fuelled a rift between the two groups as smokers have been driven outside, sometimes in unpleasantly low temperatures, to satisfy their tobacco cravings.

Belgrade’s restaurant and cafe owners have been hit with a further blow from January 1st with the introduction of city-wide restrictions on opening hours and a ban on music after 10 p.m.


Once enforced I believe this will happen in Bulgaria to

From Novinite

Bulgarian Parliament to Rule on Full Smoking Ban in Small Public Places

Full smoking ban might be introduced in Bulgaria in the summer.
In the summer of 2011, full smoking ban in Bulgaria might come into force for public places of less than 50 square meters.

The new proposal was discussed Tuesday at a meeting between the Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov, Health Minister, Stefan Konstantinov, the Chair of the Parliamentary Health Committee, Desislava Atanasova, representatives of the Economy Ministry, the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association, and the Trade Association of Restaurants in Sofia.

The proposal is yet to be discussed by the ruling party GERB and then voted in the parliament.

The Health Ministry has announced that the reasons for the change aim at improving the healthy living environment in the country and at elimination of unequal working conditions for the business in Bulgaria.

A smoking ban in public places came into force in Bulgaria at the end of December. The requirements will affect all smoking spaces inside commercial and administrative buildings, railroad stations and airports as well.

Owners of coffee shops and restaurants with less than 50 square meters have the right to decide whether smoking would be allowed. In case smoking is allowed, individuals under the age of 18 would not be admitted as they are banned from smoking in all indoors spaces.

The decision on the introduction date for the full smoking ban in Bulgaria will be made in 2012.

From Novinite

Bulgaria to introduce complete ban on smoking in small cafes in mid-2011

Bulgaria will introduce a complete ban on smoking in public areas in cafes and restaurants covering less than 50 square metres in mid-2011, the Health Ministry said on January 18 2011.

The move was agreed during a meeting between Prime Minister Boiko Borissov, Health Minister Stefan Konstantinov, Desislava Atanasova, chair of the parliamentary health committee, representatives of the Economy Ministry, the Bulgarian hotel and restaurant association and the Sofia Association of Hotel Managers.

The decision was immediately opposed by small-size businesses, which said that the new restriction would produce a wave of bankruptcies.

According to the owners, the new regulations cater for the interests of larger operators.

Currently, the decision on whether to adopt the smoking ban in cafes and restaurants spanning less than 50 square metres is up to the owners.

The ban, expected to be introduced in June, will mainly affect small local cafes and pubs that are frequented mostly by smokers.

From Novinite

Full Smoking Ban in Bulgaria On Hold until 2014 - Report

Bulgaria has one of the highest smokers' rates in the EU at some 39% of people declaring themselves daily smokers, topped only by Greece at 42%.
The full smoking ban in Bulgaria has been postponed for January 1, 2014, the private TV Channel bTV announced.

The agreement has been reached during a meeting between Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov and representatives of hotel and restaurant owners, who are quoted saying they were deeply grateful to Borisov for the "
pleasant surprise"
and vowed to "
be ready"
by 2014.

The full smoking ban was voted by the previous Parliament and was supposed to become effective on July 1, 2010, but the new majority of the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party amended the ban and adopted new rules providing for partial smoking restrictions.

The restrictions became effective in December 2010, and owners of small establishments were supposed to decide if the facility would be smoking or non-smoking while those of larger ones were mandated to have separate smoking and non-smoking spaces. Just days ago, the Health Ministry announced the full smoking ban for small establishments would be introduced in the summer.

The series of postponements are explained with allowing owners to make gradual expenses to upgrade the facilities and include ventilation equipment and non-smoking areas.

According to cabinet experts, the measure would lead to the bankruptcy of 10% of restaurants and coffee shops, to BGN 550 M less in annual turnover and would leave 15 000 employees on the streets. Losses for the State amount to BGN 94 M in unpaid Value Added Tax (VAT), BGN 11 M in unpaid corporate tax, BGN 23 M from unpaid insurance contributions for laid-off workers and BGN 8 M for unemployment compensations.

Results from the December 2010 partial ban, show the turnover of facilities with separate smoking and non-smoking areas went down by 30%.

many of the cafes and restaurants i go to regular have implimented the smoking ban. one in paticular, was always busy. now this january and no ashtrays to be seen, its now almost empty.
i went to the uk last year and saw the effects of the smoking ban (blackpool) on pubs. they are either closed down or burnt down, boarded up and abandoned.

watch out you drinkers, your next.

starlite wrote:

watch out you drinkers, your next.

You mean they'll be banning booze in pubs?

they are banning happy hour, so you have all got to be miserable by law. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]