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Total Ban on Smoking in Indoor and Some Outdoor Public Places – Bulgaria

Summary

The purpose of the ban on smoking in indoor and some outdoor public places is to protect public health. This ban on one hand protects the health of non-smokers who are exposed to tobacco smoke in indoor and some outdoor public places, and on the other hand protects smokers themselves from excessive use of tobacco and tobacco products. The policy is directed towards the whole population. After many discussions, information campaigns, meetings with various organizations, debates in Parliament, etc., on May 17, 2012 the National Assembly passed amendments to the Law of Health, which introduced a total ban on smoking in indoor and some outdoor public places from June 1, 2012. The ban of smoking includes: rooms with separate jobs , adjacent terrain and sidewalks of nurseries, kindergartens, schools , student dormitories and places where social services are provided for children playgrounds , open public spaces , which are organized activities for children and students , sports venues cinemas and theaters summer – at sports and cultural events. The Ministry of Health and its regional structures in the country – 28 Regional health inspectorates – carry out state health control, to limit smoking in indoor and some outdoor public places, on compliance with the requirements of Art. 56 and Art. 56a of the Law of Health. In order to enhance the efficiency and increase the range of public facilities and according to the working hours of dining and entertainment, the checks are carried out during weekdays, weekends and holidays. It also carried out daily checks on extended hours (after 17:00) and night checks (after 22:00). Overtime checks are carried out jointly with the employees of the Ministry of Interior.

The policy was supported by all governmental structures, NGOs and other public and private, and international organization. Example: In each RHI there is a Consultancy Office for smoking cessation. These offices provide advice by trained experts (doctors, psychologists, etc.) for quitting smoking, for spirometric measurements of carbon monoxide in the exhaled air and the amount of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood of passive and active smokers. With the aim to provide assistance for smoking cessation have been introduced: National telephone line for smoking cessation 0700 10 32; Website www.aznepusha.bg which has up to date information on the topic; Collaboration between the MoH and scientific associations in the country who support the policy of the Ministry of Health on prevention of smoking-induced health risks and healthy lifestyle. By the end of the year data analyses will allow to measure the potential impact on the population targeted.
Additional information: http://www.riokoz-vt.com/NEPUSHACHI.PDF

(last accessed in March 2017)

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Life Cycle Stages: Early Childhood | Older People (>65 yrs) | Pregnancy | School Age | Seniors (>75 yrs) | The Young Old (50-65 yrs) | Work Life | 
Main Settings: public | 
Specific Topics: substance abuse | 

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