Croatian minister fined for violating anti-smoking law

A Croatian minister was fined yesterday for violating the country's strict anti-smoking measures as he lit a cigarette during a meeting held at a local sugar refinery, HINA news agency reported.

Agriculture Minister Petar Cobankovic paid 100 kunas ($18) to the chief state inspector who came to his office.

"I paid the fine and I have no objections. I will try to control myself," in future, Mr Cobankovic said and apologised for breaking the law, the state-run agency reported. The minister was fined after local papers published a photo showing him smoking a cigarette during the meeting at the sugar refinery in the eastern town of Osijek on Tuesday. The director of the refinery was also fined with 500 kunas, according to HINA.

Croatia introduced rigid anti-smoking measures, banning smoking in all public places in May 2009. Fines for those breaking the law go up to 15,000 kunas ($2,700).

The government has said the law is aimed at protecting non-smokers, who make up 68 percent of the country's population of 4.4 million.