Cyprus votes for smoking ban

The House plenary, after a long debate, approved on Thursday by majority vote a new law banning smoking completely in all closed public places.

The law is set to come into effect on January 1, 2010.

Out of the 31 MPs who took part in the vote, 27 voted for the proposed bill to ban smoking, 3 voted against while there was 1 abstention.

The bill had been drawn up and submitted by the main opposition party, the Democratic Rally.

Smoking is allowed only in open and outside areas.

The law provides for a fine for those who violate its provisions but no prison sentence.

In particular, the law provides for no more that 1000 euro as penalty for not posting a sign indicating that smoking is not allowed in a specific area, while whoever violates the provisions of the law as a smoker or owner of an establishment, he/she will have to pay a fine of no more than 2000 euro.