ATHENS, Greece, July 1 (UPI) -- A bill banning smoking in indoor public places including offices and restaurants went into effect Wednesday across Greece, the Health Ministry said.
Greek Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos told the nation smoking is killing 20,000 people a year and is the biggest contributor to the country's mortality rate. Additional 700 Greeks die annually due to what is described as passive smoking, meaning staying in the same rooms with smokers.