"KLEFTOPOLEMOS" AGAIN WITH ASHTRAY-ANTITHETOS The PSOMIADIS

Padlock to 20,000 restaurants, cafes and bars, which will lead to unemployment of at least 80,000 employees appreciate the representatives of the Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades that will bring to restaurants and entertainment sectors to implement the universal ban on smoking in all ...
public places, coupled with the economic crisis. same time, they intend to resume the "guerilla" with ashtrays disappear when they come to their companies and auditors to appear again when they leave. "We decline of our turnover due to the economic crisis, by 50%. If we still have 10% - 20% reduction, which is given to the smoking ban, we will close. We have 121,000 businesses and 400,000 employees worked per week and 300,000 members of our families, and about 100 jobs to be working, "said John Tsakos, president of the Federation of Restaurants and Related Occupations (POESE). What seek During yesterday's, an extraordinary meeting of the Administrative Committee of POESE decided to ask the government: * Suspension for one year at least, the implementation of Law 3668 to prohibit smoking. * Direct dialogue with the Ministry of Health on a pragmatic basis, taking into account the actual situation . * safeguarding the viability of the industry and the free choice of customers. * CONTINUITY of action. "In other countries implemented a total ban on smoking, the impact was enormous. In France, restaurant closed 2000 and 4000 UK pubs. Moreover, in Ireland despite the ban increased the number of smokers, "said George Kavathas, general secretary of POESE. are growing controls Speaking in an "A", the mayor Welfare and Protection of the Citizen, Calypso Goula, announced tightening of controls, although the strength of the City Police is not sufficient to cover the increased responsibilities. "Since the inception of the law have found 77 violations of the Municipal Police. It should be noted that the responsibility for inspections has not only the Municipal Police and other agencies, such as Public Health Inspectors, Port, etc., "she said. In restaurants, cafes and bars in Thessaloniki, the "relaxed "checks in recent months are responsible for ... return of ashtrays in almost all stores. As business owners emphasize "all customers when they come, they ask if smoking is permitted and, if they say that no, go to the next." "We are creating many problems in a very bad situation," noted Panagiotis free listing, president of the Thessaloniki Restaurateurs. All emphasize that in a very difficult economic times, with the majority of companies struggle to pay for survival, possible fines for smoking will lead to disaster. As reported, about 70% - 80% of their customers are smokers and that smoking is not allowed by most leave. They want to allow owners to choose whether the store will be smoking or not. Counter by P. Psomiadis the same wavelength and moved the statements made ​​yesterday by the Region of Central Macedonia, Panayiotis Psomiadis, who stressed that for the whole county Thessaloniki there are only 10 supervisors - auditors of public health. "The small stores will put padlock, while the larger will be significantly reducing their already low turnover. The most democratic solution is to separate stores to non-smokers and smokers, the choice of the individual entrepreneur, "he said. REPORTAGE VASILIS PEKLARIS