Can Cypriots and nicotine really part company?

Byline: Daniel Thomas

SO THAT'S that, it's official. Parliament has passed the law that will see the smoky interiors of clubs and cafE[umlaut]s, police stations and mechanics' garages becoming relegated to the memory warehouse of Cyprus' collective consciousness.

Well, that's the idea anyway. Having become accustomed to the culturally enshrined practice of nonchalantly ignoring, or even actively deprecating government decrees on smoking in the past, it will be interesting to see whether the law -- implemented next January - is actually effective. From fiery-eyed nemeses of the habit to die-hard smokers who will ride the nicotine wave with stone-faced determination into oblivion, all are united in their curiosity over whether the notoriously stubborn status quo of Cyprus will accept such a shift to the cultural landscape.

Cyprus and tobacco share a particularly strong relationship. Although reliable statistics on the time period are hard to come by, Tobacco in History by Jordan Goodman states that in the late eighties and early nineties, Cyprus seems to have occupied one of the top spots for cigarette consumption per capita in the world - above more well-known blazers such as Greece, China and Cuba with around 4,050 cigarettes being smoked every year to every person on the island.

This has dropped significantly in recent times, with Cyprus not even found in the top ten. A general trend of declining smoking rates in the developed world due to tougher restrictions has ironically occurred alongside an increase in the developing world, which has been spurred on by unrestricted tobacco advertising promoting Marlboro-Man style western images of freedom.

This still hasn't stopped Greece from being ranked as the top consumer of cigarettes per capita, with a staggering 4,313 smoked annually per head. Of course, per capita readings can be misleading, and can possibly tell us more about the vigour of individual smokers rather than the actual numbers of people who engage in the habit.

According to the European Union Public Health Information System (EUPHIX), the percentage of the Cypriot population over 15 that smokes currently stands at around 23.9 per cent, which is even lower than countries such as the Netherlands (30.8 per cent) and France (25.3 per cent). However, there is also a huge disparity between Cypriot male and female smokers - 38.1 per cent and 10.5 per cent respectively. These figures alone seem to rationalise the decision taken by parliament to ban smoking in nearly all enclosed areas.

For some, smoking in the work place is no more than a matter of convenience. However, for many people, smoking indoors is more than simply obtaining a hit of nicotine underneath a roof; it is about a lifestyle, a notion of relaxation and indulgence located deep within the brain which is brought to life when the good times are both recalled and anticipated.

From images of old blues men sat around a piano in a cloud of smoke to your granddad happily dancing in a taverna with a cigarette protruding from his mouth, smoking has gone hand-in-hand with ideas of recreation for decades, despite it being well known that it is one of the leading causes of preventable death and that its potent addictiveness is one of the hardest to overcome

Most non-smokers, meanwhile, view the seemingly blatant illogicality of inhaling the combusted remnants of a little chemically infused tube of burning plant with attitudes ranging from stern apprehension to honest pity.

Whatever your position, the smoking ban will remain a controversial issue in Cyprus and our customary indifference to European notions of a healthy and modern society may well make its implementation next January less than smooth.

Philip, 54, Mechanic (Pictures 003,004)

Smoker: Yes

"I think the ban is a good idea, as it has been proven that passive smoking is harmful and this is not fair on people who don't smoke. I don't think that the law will work with this generation of workers, but will for the people who grow up with it. It will be very hard to police this in workshops, as an inspector might pass by once, but then how many times again?"

Anita, Horse Importer in a smoking area of the Land Registry Office in Nicosia

Smoker: Yes

"To not have a specific indoor smoking area is an infringement of my rights, as I believe that just as non-smokers should have a right to be in smoke-free environments, so too should smokers be allowed their own. People will inevitably break the law, which will turn smokers into second class citizens."

John, 40, Bar owner, New Division (with an outside area where customers will still be able to smoke)

Smoker: No

"I think it is a good idea, both for the health of staff, customers and me. I don't think it will affect my business too much, and in fact I think it will make smoking even more of a social thing, as people will be able to invite each other outside for a cigarette where they'll be able to chat more personally. I think it will make smoking more enjoyable."

Panayiotis, 70, Bar owner of Romylos (no outside area) (Picture 001)

Smoker: No

"It's going to affect me a lot because there is no space outside. Customers like to come to have a drink, relax and enjoy a cigarette. I've been running this business for thirty years without a problem, and now this.

I agree that this law is good for the community, but it should also take into account small businesses like mine that are going to be hard hit. This isn't an expensive cafE[umlaut] that has the option of outside tables with heaters. I hope our union finds a way to make room in the law for small bars to allow smoking."

Andy, 23, basketball player (Picture 002)

Smoker: No

"This law is great news. It means that I'll be able to go out to bars and clubs and not feel like I have been forced to smoke all night. I know that some people will not be happy with this for now, but I think as time passes it will become normal and people will realise that it is actually good for them."

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2009

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company