Bulgaria's cabinet issued an official proposal to introduce a full smoking ban for closed public areas on June 1, 2012.

The decision was made Wednesday during the regular meeting of the Council of Ministers, which was held in the second largest city of Plovdiv. There the members of the cabinet were booed by people protesting against the retirement reform which includes a gradual increase of retirement age by four months a year, effective January 1, 2012.

After the meeting, Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, confirmed for the media the intentions of introducing the ban in June next year.

"This is a global trend to limit the harmful habit; the ban will be a gift to Bulgarian children since on June 1 they celebrate their day," Borisov said.

He explained the date was chosen on purpose because with the beginning of the summer owners of bars, restaurants and coffee shops will have time to adapt. The PM stressed that the cabinet had issued the proposal two years ago, but in a gesture of tolerance for these owners extended the deadline.

This is the next attempt of the government to amend the Health Care Act and ban smoking in indoor spaces. The only thing that has been achieved so far was to introduce separate smoking and non-smoking areas inside establishments. The restaurant business wants for the ban to be postponed for 2013 or 2014.

Just one day earlier, Health Minister, Stefan Konstantinov, announced the intentions of the cabinet to finally introduce the ban in the summer. Smoking will be also banned in school, kindergarten and day care yards, and in school dormitories.

Other amendments include a ban on the sale of energy drinks to minors.

The amendments, however, are yet to be passed by the Parliament.

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