Poll Shows 97.3% Support for Smoking Ban or Restrictions

Some 97.3 per cent of Bulgarian respondents in an EU poll favour a complete or partial ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces, the Health Ministry said on Friday. The poll was conducted among 368 Internet users between March 5 and April 15.

The poll is part of a European Commission-led campaign to restrict smoking in public places.

EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou has proposed a Green Paper, entitled "Towards a Europe Free from Tobacco Smoke: Policy Options at EU Level", which is accessible via the Bulgarian Parliament website. The Paper lists scientific, social and economic reasons against tobacco.

Over 86 per cent of Bulgarian respondents insist on a complete ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces, and another 11 per cent recommend a partial ban.

A complete ban is backed by 90 per cent of non-smokers, 94 per cent of ex-smokers and over 27 per cent of smokers. A partial ban is recommended by 10 per cent of non-smokers, 6 per cent of ex-smokers and 31.8 per cent of smokers. Those opposed to any ban are all smokers (40.9 per cent of respondents in this group).

BTA