Bulgarian Protesters: Rulers Are 'Nazis' for Imposing Smoking Ban

A controversial poster displayed during the protest depicted Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and Finance Minister Simeon Djankov as Nazis for endorsing the ban. "Employers to soap", the poster said. Photo by BGNES

A bunch of citizens gathered in Bulgaria's Danube town of Ruse to protest against the full smoking ban imposed in the country several months ago.

Some 50 people took part in the rally, local media say, most of them employed in local cafes, restaurants and bars.

A controversial banner displayed during the protest depicted Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and Finance Minister Simeon Djankov as Nazis for endorsing the ban.

"Employers to soap", the banner said.

Bulgaria's association of hotel and restaurant owners have been demanding that the full smoking ban be lifted, proposing the reintroduction of separate smoking areas instead.

On Friday, Bulgarian Health Minister Desislava Atanasova firmly denied any possibility of the full smoking ban in closed public spaces being lifted in the country.

Atanasova's statement followed Thursday's rally in which business representatives, as well as regular citizens, assembled in front of the Bulgarian Parliament in Sofia to protest against the ban.

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