In Greece, Smoking May Be Good for the State

Between public health and public finances, the Greek government Friday tried to split the difference, allowing smoking in some night clubs and casinos in exchange for paying a special tax.

A law passed last year had banned smoking in night clubs and casinos -- a move to discourage the cigarette habit in a country that holds the European record for smokers.

In reality, however, the ban is daily violated in Greek cafes and restaurants.

On Friday the ministries of health and finance issued a statement saying that night clubs and casinos of more than 300 square meters (3,230 square feet) could set aside "half that space" for smokers, if they pay a tax of 200 euros ($270) per square meter annually.

The first payment must be made by November 30, in a bid to feed the public coffers before wrapping up the 2011 budget, as debt-mired Greece faces a European audit to secure the next payment of an EU-IMF bailout needed to avoid default.