A new law has come into force in Greece banning smoking in enclosed public spaces and tobacco advertising.

(Kazan, September 1, Tatar-inform). A new law has come into force in Greece banning smoking in enclosed public spaces and tobacco advertising, reports the BBC.

It is the second such attempt to curb tobacco addiction in Europe's biggest-smoking nation in just over a year.

Smokers who break the law could be fined hundreds of euros and businesses may have to pay several thousand.

But restaurant and cafe owners say they are being targeted at a time of economic crisis.

It is estimated that more than 40% of Greek adults smoke - well above the EU's average of 29%.

The Greek government says the smoking ban is aimed at protecting public health.

It adds that - like a recently adopted austerity plan to repair a near-bankrupt economy - the smoking ban will help Greeks to consider the consequences of their actions.

"It will contribute to the work we're doing that's aimed at changing attitudes, norms and behaviour to improve our quality of life," Prime Minister George Papandreou said on Tuesday.

From Wednesday, those caught violating the new law face fines of up to 500 euros (£413; $636). Businesses may have to pay up to 10,000 euros.

The government says the measure is needed after previous efforts to impose a partial smoking ban have been largely ignored.

But bar and cafe owners say they are being unfairly targeted.

"What I believe is that it [the ban] will harm places that are strongly connected with drinking and entertainment in general," Christos Giannakouris, a bar owner in Athens, told the Associated Press.

Waitress Artemis Livardou said there were other ways of protecting non-smokers without resorting to an outright ban.

"Although I would support a law that would prohibit smoking in some places, I think owners of these places should be given the choice to create zones for smokers and non-smokers. Thus, we smokers could find and choose the place which we would like to go to."