The Greek parliament has approved a ban on smoking in public places, including all restaurants, bars and public transport, from January 1 2010, Greek media reported.

Greece, which is reportedly in top five of the heaviest smokers in the European Union and has one of the highest rates of smoking in the world, made the move at the same time that a Croatian ban on smoking in public places came into effect. Croatia, however, has allowed a six-month grace period for restaurants and bars to obey the legislation, while hospitals and government institutions are required to comply immediately.

Greece has provided for a 300 euro fine for lighting up in an area where smoking is forbidden.

The Greek legislation will also ban the sale of tobacco products to people under 18. Those who sell tobacco products or liquor to under-18s will face fines of up to 20 000 euro.

Smoking will be banned in workplaces but designated smoking areas may be set aside. Previously, Greece banned smoking in hospitals, offices and taxis and legislated separate smoking and non-smoking areas in restaurants and bars, but media reports said that these laws were widely ignored.

Apart from Croatia, other South East European heavy-smoking countries that have anti-smoking laws in force include Turkey and Bulgaria. Most EU countries, including Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and the UK, have strict legislation against smoking in public places.