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Smoke-free Europe by 2012: EU

The European Union says it wants its member states to ban smoking in enclosed public places, on public transportation and in workplaces by 2012.

EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou says smoking and secondhand smoking cause serious health and economic problems for Europeans who increasingly prefer smoke-free environments.

A recent EU survey shows 84% of Europeans want their workplaces to be smoke-free. They also want smoking bans in bars and restaurants.

The EU said Tuesday more than 6,000 non-smokers died from workplace exposure to smoking last year.

Ten states including Britain, France and Italy already have bans on smoking indoors and on transportation. Others including Belgium and Austria have partial bans.- (Sapa, June 2009)

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