Anti-smoking group claims restaurants and bars had higher revenues after smoking ban in Romania

The turnover of Romanian restaurants and bars apparently went up after the introduction of the smoking ban in March 2016, according to a study conducted by 2035 Fara tutun (2035 Without Smoking), a local initiative group supporting efforts to prevent smoking adoption by children and teenagers. The study, which analyzed data from Romania’s Fiscal Authority ANAF, found that the local restaurants' turnover went up 19.8% between March and August 2016, compared to the similar period of 2015, when smoking was still allowed. Compared to the September 2015 – February 2016 period, the increase in revenues was of almost 11%. The total turnover of bars went up 10.6% between March and August 2016, compared to the same 2015 period, and by 5% compared to the September 2015 – February 2016 period. The law prohibiting smoking in all enclosed public spaces was adopted in December 2015, signed by president Klaus Iohannis in January 2016 and was enforced starting March 2016. An enclosed public space is defined as a space that has a roof or a ceiling and at least two walls. The new law came alongside a new law on buildings with high seismic risk, which entered into force in November 2015, and against the background of a wider debate concerning public safety following the 2015 Colectiv club fire. In October of last year, the Chamber of Deputies adopted a law transposing a EU directive in the field of tobacco, and rejected several amendments which attempted to alter the law prohibiting smoking in enclosed public spaces. The new law on tobacco products also banned flavored cigarettes. Menthol cigarettes will be sold until 2019 when they will be forbidden too. According to former Health minister Vlad Voiculescu, some 42,000 Romanians die annually due to smoking, while 5% of the 11-year old children have smoked at least once and the smoking incidence reaches 37% for 15-year old children. Most Romanians support smoke-free policies, study shows Statistics: More than a quarter of Romanians aged 15 and over are smokers editor@romania-insider.com