Bars, Restaurants, Inspected By ANPC

The National Consumer Protection Authority (ANPC) has started a countrywide campaign to verify whether bars and restaurants are in compliance with the provisions of the law to prevent and counter the effects of tobacco consumption. The campaign started yesterday and will last for up to two weeks, according to the ANPC Press Office. According to Emergency Ordinance no. 5/2008 regarding the alteration of Law 349/2002 on preventing and countering the effects of tobacco consumption, smoking is prohibited in enclosed public spaces as of 1 January 2009, unless specially designated rooms are provided. If so, such rooms need to be properly ven­tilated. Also, such rooms must not be transit areas or access ways. Smoking areas within bars and restaurants will cover up to 50% of the overall surface available to customers. The non-smoking areas need to be properly ventilated and isolated. Bars and restaurants having a surface less than 100 square meters need to choose whether to operate as a smoking or non-smoking establishment. Such decision needs to be advertised to consumers within the establishment. Violations of this law are punishable by fine between 2,500 RON and 5,000 RON. Also effective as of 1 January, the law prohibits the sale of tobacco within or near hospitals and educational institutions, except for universities. The law also prohibits tobacco advertising in printed media, inside performance halls and movie theatres, as well as on the inner and outer surfaces of public transportation vehicles, as well as on the outer surface of any transportation vehicle. The law also prohibits the use of tobacco brands on products that do not contain tobacco, with the exception of smoking accessories, such as ashtrays, lighters or matchboxes. Violations of the provisions regarding tobacco advertising are punishable by fine between 10,000 RON and 50,000 RON.