Poland bans smoking in restaurants, clubs, pubs and bars

From today, Poland joins the growing list of countries where smoking is banned in restaurants, clubs, pubs and bars.

Under the new rules, restaurant owners may allocate a separate room for smokers though it must be tightly sealed and well ventilated.

Magdalena Petryniak, one of the leaders of the anti-smoking campaign in Krakow told Polish Radio, however, that due to the expense of having to provide facilities for smokers, few establishments will take up this option, thenews.pl says.

Though smoking has been banned in most offices for some time, the law that went into effect at midnight on November 15 bans smoking in all public spaces, including hospitals, trains, public transportation stops, playgrounds, restaurants, and most controversially, pubs and clubs.

According to the law, a violation results in a 500 złoty fine for each individual caught smoking, as well as a 2,000 złoty fine for the establishment owner if no sign indicating a smoking ban is displayed. In Krakow, according to TVP Info, the city ran out of "no smoking" signs for pubs and clubs, leaving many owners to make their own before today's deadline, Sofia Echo informs.