Romania's President signs law that bans smoking in public places

Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis promulgated on Friday, January 29, the law that bans smoking in all enclosed public spaces. Thus, the new rules get closer to entering into force. The law will apply 45 days after its publication in the Official Gazette. The President has signed the decree two days after the Romanian Constitutional Court’s judges ruled that the law is constitutional. The law bans smoking in all enclosed public spaces, but there are two exceptions, however: smoking is allowed in maximum security prison cells in and special rooms in transit areas within airports. Those who don’t respect the law risk fines of up to RON 500 (for individuals) and even RON 10,000 (for companies). The restaurants, bars, and clubs that break the rules also risk having their operating licenses suspended. The Chamber of Deputies approved the law that bans smoking in all public places on December 15 last year. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com