Smoking in Bratislava
Smoking is very widespread in Slovakia - over a third of the population smoke. This is reflected in the fact that there are very few non-smoking restaurants, cafés or pubs in Bratislava. However, most restaurants provide a non-smoking section separated from the smoking part. The number of non-smoking cafes has been growing mainly in the pedestrian zone of the Old Town. Most tea-houses are strictly non-smoking and in cake shops and fast-food restaurants smoking is prohibited by law.
Although smoking is completly prohibited by law during the lunch time, in some restaurants this ban is not enforced. Smoking is permitted in most open areas with some exceptions. According to the Slovak law smoking is prohibited: on trains (except for designated smoking carriages) and all public transport vehicles, at sanitary facilities, schools and universities, children's playgrounds, bureaus, theatres, cinemas, shops and galleries.
Smoking is also prohibited at train and bus stations as well as on platforms and bus stops. The non-smoking signs at the Main Train Station in Bratislava (Hlavna Stanica) are missing or very small, but the police are present and often fine smokers. As lots of people used to smoke on the bus stops, the new law forbids smoking at the bus stops and in the distance of four metres from the marked platform.
Selling cigarettes to persons under the age of 18 is prohibited as well. Lots of the prohibitions are not being kept, mainly smoking at the bus stops, universities and playgrounds. However, the fine for breaking this law can be up to SKK 5000 (EUR 164.67).
Cigarettes can be bought at kiosks, newspaper stands, gas stations and most supermarkets. Some restaurants, cafes and pubs sell cigarettes. The offer is usually limited to one or two brands. Pubs with cigarettes vending machines offer a wider range of brands. In general the Slovak market offers a wide range of tobacco products and cigarette brands from American to British, Czech and Austrian.
According to the law the prices of cigarettes must be the same no matter where bought. In spite of governmental price and tax hikes, cigarettes are still cheaper than in Western Europe. The cheapest cost approx. SKK 50 (EUR 1.65) per pack of 20 cigarettes. The most expensive cost SKK 80 (EUR 2.63) per pack.
During accession to the European Union Slovakia was allowed to postpone application of the minimum tax rates for certain tobacco products to December 31, 2008. Therefore, prices of cigarettes will rise further after that date.
Slovakia applies the following quantity limitations on import of tobacco products: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars and 205 grams of smoking tobacco per person.
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