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A woman tests her lungs for the presence of carbon monoxide at an anti-smoking event, held in Bulgaria's capital Sofia. File photo by Sofia Photo Agency
A Bulgarian non-governmental organization offered people to test their lungs to bring attention to the dangers of tobacco use and the harm smokers pose to others.
The citizens and visitors of the capital Sofia had the opportunity to test their lungs for the presence of carbon monoxide, while tobacco-addicted Bulgarians protested against the ban on smoking in all enclosed public spaces, due to be enforced as of June 1.
The protestors say they want to raise awareness of smokers' rights and the difficulties that small and medium-sized enterprises will face once the ban is introduced in cafes, bars and restaurants, regardless of size.
In a funny gesture of goodwill, the organizers of the anti-smoking campaign invited the leaders of the rally against the ban to check their lungs.
The initiative resembled the pan-European "HELP - For a Life without Tobacco" initiative, which Bulgaria joined after joining the European Union in 2007.
The HELP campaign targets discouraging smoking among the youth, aged 15-25, an age group where the share of smokers is higher than average.
Launched in March 2005, the campaign offers free monoxide tests to popularize the dangers of smoking.
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