New anti-smoking legislation came into force in Greece this morning.
It is the third time in a decade that rules designed to limit smoking have been enacted, but the rules were mostly ignored by smokers and rarely enforced by the authorities.
Under the new legislation smoking will be banned in hospitals, schools, public vehicles and in all public spaces.
Critics note that ambiguity and loopholes in the new law threaten to render it little more than a smoke screen.
The health ministry says the ban is general and that any exceptions will come later, but many businesses are unwilling to shoulder the cost of renovations or alterations needed to comply with the rules.
And a number of loopholes are already causing confusion.
After a last-minute amendment to the law, companies with more than 50 employees were allowed to set up dedicated smoking areas on their premises.
The ban also does not apply to all cafes and bars. Premises over 70m sq will be allowed to create small smoking areas, as long as they remain 'totally separate'.
Establishments under that size must choose whether to stick with smoking or go entirely tobacco-free.
Many cafe and restaurant owners are expected to wait and gauge the public's reaction.
Efforts to kick the habit are hardly new. An 1856 royal decree dating from the reign of Bavarian-born King Otto forbade the use of pipes and cigarettes in public offices and shops.
Smokers breaking the rules face fines up to €500, and bar owners up to €2,000.
But they appear to be accepting the new regime without much dissent, perhaps in part because outdoor seating is not covered by the new law.
