Hungary: Chokehold on Smokers

Source from:  Budapest Times (hu)  07/08/2013

Hungarians are among the heaviest smokers in the EU, so it came as a surprise to many when the ban on lighting up indoors was implemented last year with nary a whimper of opposition. Now anti-smoking activists are launching a petition drive to force a national referendum on banning smoking in all public places – outdoors as well as in, after the National Election Commission gave them the go-ahead last week. If they can collect the requisite 200,000 signatures, the national vote will go ahead.

This news comes in a week when smokers have had to adjust to the new reality of the controversial government shake-up of the tobacco retail market – this one provoked rather more grumbling. As of Monday, the sale of tobacco products has been limited to only 5,000 or so outlets that won 20-year concessions in a blatantly opaque tender process. Most of 40,000 or so shops can no longer sell cigarettes, and many owners face ruin.

Opposition politicians and other critics allege the licences were handed to clients of ruling right-wing party Fidesz. As the press and civil groups demanded access to the tender documentation, the government promptly legislated to limit Hungary's freedom of information act, effectively making the tender process secret. Corruption watchdog Transparency International pulled out of a government working group in protest. Enditem