The Romanian Society of Pneumology calls for the adoption of some legal provisions that would ban smoking in enclosed public places, at work, in parks, on beaches, in playgrounds, and in sports areas, said lorin Mihaltan, the president of the Romanian Society of Pneumolgy.

The institution also wants a change in the smoking law so that tobacco selling points would be located at minimum 200 meters away from schools and colleges, reports local Agerpres.

According to Mihaltan, although 73% of Romanian adults don’t smoke, most of them suffer and die prematurely from diseases caused by smoking. Thus, a protective law against exposure to tobacco smoke is needed, he added.

In his opinion, the fact that the solution of making different spaces for smokers and non-smokers was not functional in the last seven year, it’s nothing but "the expression of discrimination and of not meeting the rights and freedoms" under the Constitution.

The main causes of death in Romania are the diseases caused or aggravated by smoking, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases, Mihaltan said.

Romania is among the EU countries with the most permissive laws on smoking in public places. This is due to intensive lobby from tobacco companies, which are the second biggest contributor to the state budget, and from restaurant and bar owners, who fear their businesses would suffer if smoking were banned.

Study: 84% of Romanians want smoking ban in public places

Smoking ban proposal would affect 85% of Romania’s restaurants, cafes

Cigarette makers ask for impact study on Romania’s planned smoking ban

Romania pays EUR 270 mln a year for diseases caused by smoking

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