Bulgarian Non-Smokers Rally against Lifting the Smoking Ban

Source from:  Standart News 06/09/2013

Non-smokers are staging a rally in Bulgaria's capital Sofia in protest against the proposed easing of the full ban on smoking in all enclosed public spaces.

The rally started at 11 am Saturday in front of the building of the Parliament. About 200 plus so far are attending.

The demonstrators demand keeping the ban in force in all restaurants, bars, and coffee shops and oppose "manipulative" calls for its liberalization.

The rally is organized by the Civil Initiative "Bulgaria without Tobacco Smoke." 5 000 have confirmed attendance on Facebook.

Over 70 000 Bulgarians have joined an online petition in favor of keeping the existing full smoking ban in enclosed public spaces in the country.

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev has repeatedly voiced firm opposition against easing the existing full smoking ban in enclosed public spaces.

However, Plamen Oresharski, elected Prime Minister on the mandate of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, BSP, has hinted that there was a will to reexamine the full smoking ban. Enditem