The number of smokers in Slovenia has fallen by a quarter since 2006, a survey commissioned by the Health Ministry has found. The ministry believes this is proof that the ban on smoking in public places implemented in August 2007 is working.
According to the Health Ministry's survey, the share of people who smoke in Slovenia
The survey also found an important drop in the share of people exposed to other people's cigarette smoke, both among smokers and non-smokers.
Among the former, the share fell to 72% from 90%; among the later it was down to 44% from 57% in 2006.
As expected, the biggest drop in exposure to other people's smoke was seen in bars and restaurants, where smoking is prohibited since last year.
According to the survey, the share of adults in Slovenia exposed to other people's smoke on a daily basis fell from 27% to 21% between 2006 and 2008.
Helena Koprivnikar of the Health Institute believes the results are very meaningful. She adds that the survey also found that the share of Slovenians who do not smoke in their homes has risen from 83% in 2006 to 88% in 2008.
The Health Ministry meanwhile says it is happy with the results brought on by the adoption of the law banning smoking in public places.
Vesna Kerstin Petric of the ministry told STA that an encouraging sign is also the rise in demand for programmes to help people quit smoking.
According to the survey, as many as 60% of current smokers are seriously considering kicking the habit.
Koprivnikar meanwhile stressed that the smoking ban has contributed importantly to cutting the number of young smokers. She added that even more could be done in this field by raising cigarette prices and improving smoking prevention programmes.
The ban has been accompanied by strict controls and high fines for those flouting the law- Kerstin Petric said that inspectors carried more than 15,000 checks in the past year, issuing fines to 661 violators.
One of the biggest complaints of the opponents of the new law was that the ban would ruin many Slovenian bars, but figures from Slovenia's two main business associations suggest the effects are not as gloomy as some had predicted.
Citing data from Slovenia's Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Chamber of Crafts, the Economy Ministry said that while some bars have seen a drop in turnover, there is no evidence to suggest that this alone has caused any closures.
According to the Economy Ministry, the law has also promoted entrepreneurial spirit, as some bars and restaurants have skillfully tapped into the opportunities brought on by the new law.
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