"Smokers rights" campaign in southern town

The head of the local branch of the Socialist Party (SPS) in Vranje, southern Serbia, says he will launch an official campaign "to protect smokers". Zoran Antic told reporters on Thursday that he will submit his initiative to state organs, and stressed that the SPS branch in the town saw "everything that is being done today" as an "attack against smokers". "Smokers rights" campaign in southern town But Antic promised the initiative and associated campaign "will steer toward not making non-smokers feel endangered or attacked at any point". The local SPS official also addressed the issue of smokers employed by state institutions and public enterprises. Serbia introduced legislation prohibiting smoking indoors in places of work, so those suffering from the addiction must do so outside. Antic noted that entrances and corridors in state institutions and enterprises "looked like waiting rooms". "Why won't anyone with jurisdiction in the matter produce an analysis and seek answers why daily productivity in the public sector dropped by 30 to 40 percent," wondered the SPS official. But he also swiftly provided an answer: it is because a large number of smokers had "a human need" to smoke "three to seven, and some more" cigarettes during their eight-hour working day. Antic however failed to explain to reporters what mechanisms were planned in order to simultaneously protect non-smokers, and end the "attack against smokers". A smoker (Beta)

"Smokers rights" campaign in southern town

But Antić promised the initiative and associated campaign "will steer toward not making non-smokers feel endangered or attacked at any point".

The local SPS official also addressed the issue of smokers employed by state institutions and public enterprises.

Serbia introduced legislation prohibiting smoking indoors in places of work, so those suffering from the addiction must do so outside.

Antić noted that entrances and corridors in state institutions and enterprises "looked like waiting rooms".

"Why won't anyone with jurisdiction in the matter produce an analysis and seek answers why daily productivity in the public sector dropped by 30 to 40 percent," wondered the SPS official.

But he also swiftly provided an answer: it is because a large number of smokers had "a human need" to smoke "three to seven, and some more" cigarettes during their eight-hour working day.

Antić however failed to explain to reporters what mechanisms were planned in order to simultaneously protect non-smokers, and end the "attack against smokers".