On 17th Jan I reported ”The Greeks Triumph” (link temporarily unavailable) as it seemed, on the day, that smoking licences were to be issued to bar owners who wished to entertain their smoking customers. One could do nothing but applaud such common sense.
“What a difference a day makes“ said the song and oh how true is that!
According to the latest report to hit the airwaves, far from issuing smoking licences the impoverished Greek government is now going to step up its enforcement policy by employing up to 800 new enforcement officers to tramp the streets slapping fines/penalties on ordinary people and businesses. Personally, I suspect that they will go for the businesses as they have done here in England for they are seen as cash-cows.
Inspectors can impose up to 10,000 euros ($13,350) in fines on bar and restaurant owners tolerating smoking and up to 500 euros for smokers who break the law. With that sort of financial difference, I can’t see many civilians being issued penalties-can you?
“The Greek state cannot continue to be made a laughing stock,” Health Minister Andreas Loverdos told reporters. “We are starting tomorrow — the ban will be fully implemented.”
Now then, the question is simple. Just how much pressure has been brought to bear by the EU for the Greek administration to suddenly take such a hard line? How much bullshit have they been fed about the ‘success’ in this country, the compliance & the immediate health benefits thanks to our ban. (I still haven’t seen anyone who should have died yesterday, walking about today!)
When businesses close, staff become unemployed and the Greek economy sinks deeper into the cesspit of financial oblivion are the EU going to bail them out with ‘monopoly money’ for it seems to me that it will be the only currency left at this rate! My humble brain always considered that countries prospered by the efforts and business skills of individuals – thousands of them. It seems that the EU have everything back to front as they are hell-bent on destroying every nations’ social lifestyle, which in themselves are tremendous revenue earners for governments. All I can think is that Big Pharma have their own National Anthem – “If I Ruled the World“
(Link to Story no Longer Available)