As from September, it will be allowed to smoke tobacco in specially allocated spaces in yards of hospitals and educational institutions, - stated Akaki Zoidze, the chairperson of the Healthcare Committee of the Parliament in Sakmiani Dila (Business Morning) TV show. According to him, this is supported by the Healthcare Committee and the relevant amendment to the law, according to which smoking was restricted in closed spaces, will be made in September. “According to the law, smoking was restricted in open spaces around hospitals and educational institutions. This created social tensions between security officers of hospitals and patient supporters, when they were forbidden to smoke.
Therefore, as from September, we will make amendments to the law, according to which amendments smoking will be allowed in specially allocated spaces around hospitals and educational institutions,” – stated Akaki Zoidze. According to Zoidze, other closed buildings will not be affected by this amendment. As to restaurants and cafes, the losses registered after adoption of the law, will be balanced in future. “Business should adapt, broaden the offer, this happened in all the countries, where smoking was forbidden. If they install heaters at the entrances, this problem will be solved in winter. This is it is done in Europe. Instead, 2100 people dying every year of passive smoking 15 years earlier, will be rescued by this reform,” – he stated.
