Bulgaria's government rejected a proposed full ban on smoking, leaving restrictions as they are now.
The ministers discussed Thursday the national program for restricting smoking and approved it except for the ban article.
The European Union's health chief urged earlier in the week all countries in the bloc to prohibit smoking in public places, following the example of Ireland, Italy, Sweden and Scotland.
Under Bulgaria's legislation each bar and restaurant should separate the smokers' area from that of the non-smokers. Still, many owners don't exactly follow the law to the letter.
Some 3,500 Bulgarians die each year from smoking-related illnesses, incurring economic losses to the country, the health minister pointed out.
According to Minister Gaydarski it was not a good idea for the country to be among the first countries to flourish a full ban on smoking.