Global General

Hungary to ban smoking in indoor public places

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-27 08:56

BUDAPEST - Hungarian parliament approved a proposal on Tuesday in support of a smoking ban in all indoor public places including workplaces, restaurants and pubs.

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Of the 386-member parliament, 271 voted in favor of the proposal seeking protection of non-smokers, 37 were opposed and 14 abstained.

The ban will be in force from January next year in all public institutions, on public transport vehicles, at stops and stations, underground pedestrian passages and in playgrounds.

According to the law, designating indoors areas for smokers are not allowed in public institutions, offices or trains. However, people are allowed to smoke in open-air sections or garden terraces of restaurants and pubs.

Public education, childcare and health care institutions will be banned from designating areas for smokers both indoors and outdoors.

Hungarian State health authority will fine violators after a three-month grace period. Individuals smoking in forbidden areas will be fined up to 30000 forints ($166).