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New Year’s Day will see a complete smoking ban in all indoor areas and public places in Cyprus.
 

The new law comes in to force at midnight on New Year’s Eve although a police spokesman said the law will not be strictly enforced until after the New Year's Eve celebrations.
 

All establishments affected by the ban are to ensure there are highly visible no smoking signs, failure to comply will result in a fine of up to €1,000.
 

Smokers who fail to comply with the new law face fines of up to €2,000 as do the owners of establishments.
 

Places where the smoking ban will come into affect include: pubs, restaurants, bars, cinemas, theatres, hospitals, universities, colleges, banks, ports, airports, shopping centres, hotels, coffee shops, betting shops, discos, nightclubs and cafes.
 

Smoking will still be allowed in all external, open areas – except school yards and medical areas – and in internal courtyards or gardens. Smoking will still be allowed in internal courtyards and external areas covered by a canopy, such as cafe and restaurant terraces.
 

Employers are also obliged to provide a closed smoking area for employees with appropriate ventilation if requested.
 

Data has shown that 25% of Cypriots smoke with surveys showing children to have high levels of nicotine in their blood after been exposed to tobacco smoke virtually everywhere.
 

It remains to be seen whether the ban will be strictly enforced, or the laid back attitude of ‘this is Cyprus’ where the laws are largely ignored will apply.
  

Restaurant and bar owners are worried that the ban will result in customers staying away and employees having to be laid off.