EU health commissioner blasts minister Polakis for smoking indoors

A few hours after Stamatis Kraounakis was interviewed about Pavlos Polakis, welcoming his behavior and his often delirious speech, the Deputy Minister of Health found himself on the stage where the artist was appearing and danced a zeibekiko. What made an impression was the fact that Pavlos Polakis was dancing with a cigarette in his mouth. The Deputy Minister of Health, who is typically responsible for the implementation of the anti-smoking law, is seen flagrantly smoking indoors, which is forbidden.

This, of course, was not the first time he has done this, since he usually appears at press conferences  with a cigarette in his mouth.

This fact was criticized severely by European Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis, who is in Greece.

Yesterday, Monday, and following his meeting with the President of the Republic Vytenis Andriukaitis participated in an event on the occasion of the World Day Against Cancer, organized by the Hellenic Anti-Cancer Society at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation for Culture.

Responding to a question about the picture of the Greek Deputy Minister of Health Pavlos Polakis smoking at a press conference, Mr Andriukaitis expressed his anger:

"Its shameful! Its shameful! This guy understands nothing of health. Zero," said the European Commissioner,adding: "Such behavior must be denounced by the public. If you're addicted, it's probably hard to rid yourself, but at least try, get nicotine chewing gum, get medical help. The question of applying anti-smoking legislation is very serious and your country's parliament has to discuss it. It is not a matter of free will if someone smokes or not. When this happens in a public place, it is a violation of human rights, because the people around have the right to breathe fresh air. Today I visited the Ministry of Health and the premises smelled of cigarettes," added Mr. Anthurium.

At the same time, the European Commissioner commented on the fact that none of those who he met in the ministry were wearing a tie. "Do they think they are fighting the elite? This is street politics!" He commented.

Mr Polakis has been known for promoting his machismo and disdain for "bourgeois" conventions, utilizing base and foul language to besmirch anyone opposing the government.