A lack of enforcement and widespread public defiance is being blamed for the Greeks' inability to conform to European standards.
As the BBC's Malcolm Brabant reports, Greek rebelliousness is one of the biggest obstacles.
Comment: Very interesting choice of words from this BBC reporter:
"This story tells you that there is a rich and dynamic scene of resistance running through the Greek national psyche. Many Greeks take an almost willful delight in defying authority. As it is this invisible, yet enormously powerful, rebellious force that the Greek government has to contend with as it tries to convince the population to accept its austerity programme."Whether he realised it or not, this is exactly what it all boils down to with smoking. You have to wonder to what extent the Powers That Be are aware that economic austerity, shock doctrines and false-flag terrorist attacks are far more difficult to foist on populations that smoke!
For the control example, witness Ireland, whose population just rolled over when it was told that it would be piloting the fascist anti-smoking ban shortly after 9/11. When it came time for its economic shock therapy in late 2010, barely a whimper was raised in defiance.
The Greeks are right - smoking IS a HUMAN RIGHT!
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Whilst not wishing to idealise The Greeks too much, or inspire false optimism about their situation, it seems to me that with regard to the shock doctrine thing, which is pretty much seen for what it is - a debt-fabrication racket, I find it difficult to see how the hell any supposed financial authority can impose a viable checkmate on Greekonomics at all. For instance: much of their very large tourist industry, inc. bars, tavernas, restaurants, holiday apartments etc is essentially based on the idea of opening your living room to strangers in a usually generous, laid-back, old-life kind of way, and making a few bob out of it, a lot of the time cash. Much of it you couldn't even really call capitalism, at least not by any modern definition of the word.
"Will you take a credit card?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, the VISA machine is broken today."