A camera operator from local TV station Realitatea TV caught Romania’s newly appointed Prime Minister smoking in the Parliament. Smoking is banned in all enclosed public spaces in Romania and those breaking the rule risk getting fined.

In the images filmed on Tuesday (see video at this link), Sorin Grindeanu appears to be smoking in the office of his party leader Liviu Dragnea, who's also the president of the Chamber of Deputies.

Later the same day, Grindeanu explained that he was smoking an electronic cigarette he took from a colleague. "As an inveterate smoker, I find it very hard to respect the law, but I respect it," he said.

Smoking in enclosed public spaces was banned in Romania last spring. The law that bans smoking in public spaces entered into force in mid-March 2016, and stipulates that nobody is allowed smoke in a public space that has at least two walls and a roof. The individuals who don’t respect the law risk fines between RON 100 and RON 500.

Right after the law took effect, Romania’s Prime Minister at that time, Dacian Ciolos, invited his cabinet members to smoke outside the Government’s building.

PSD leader Liviu Dragnea said on Tuesday that, even if he is a smoker as well, the law than bans smoking in enclosed public spaces will remain unchanged and he will respect it.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com