Over half of Bulgarians wish to see the full smoking ban remain in power, according to a survey of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAN).

The latest survey shows that 57% of Bulgarians do not want the government to reverse the decision.

Ruling MPs are expected to vote on a partial lift of the ban before the Christmas and New Years holidays. The proposal has stirred heated public, political, and economical debates.

Currently, around 35% of Bulgarians smoke, which means that even many smokers support the full restrictions in public spaces.

However, an equivalent number, 57% of respondents, say that they would not report or make a complaint if they see somebody disobeying the law.

A little over 15% admit they have witnessed people smoking in bars and night clubs over the past month, while 30% respond that they either have not seen a violation or have not attended such a place in that period.

The survey also shows that nearly 1/3 of smokers light their first cigarette between the age of 15 and 18.

The full smoking ban was introduced in June 2012 by the GERB government of former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.

The Parliamentary Health Committee is against amendments to the law, however, the Economic Committee backs easing the full ban.