Puffers paradise?

Originally, I was going to put together a long thought out piece on smoking in Greece, it's prevalence, and the new laws coming info effect on July 1st limiting the practice of it in public areas.  Not only did I find the information the laws a bit confusing (which doesn't bode well for those who are supposed to follow them) but I also am not finding myself in the mood for thoughts "long"ly held.  

Mostly, I love that cigarette packages have this message.  Although the picture itself is a bit fuzzy (taken from my unfocusable cell phone camera) the message itself couldn't be more clear.  I think it should be adopted worldwide.

This particular packet is probably from the UK, but those packaged in Greece have a similar message "Smoking Can Kill".  As I stopped to think about it, I felt it a little odd that the countries that are considered to have a higher incidence of smokers also have a much stronger message.  Is that because they feel something stronger is needed to curb the habits of all these smokers?  Or is that they don't have a strong Tobacco industry fighting for something a little less severe in the wording?

Regardless of packaging alerts, things are certainly a bit more loose here when it comes to smoking (little surprise there).  What topped it for me the other day though, was seeing a young girl of approximately 6-7 years old walking out of a mini-market holding a couple of packs of Marlboro's.  She was certainly buying them for an adult, and perhaps the person selling them to her knows said adult, but come on!

Although I am happy that Greece has taken the measure to establish laws around smoking in public places, whether it is actually enforced will be a whole different question.  There are plenty of laws in Greece that are ignored on a daily (hourly) basis, and I have a feeling this is one that will fall into that category.  I can only hope for people like myself, who can help urge those infringing upon the laws to change their ways.