ATHENS -- The European Union's heaviest smokers were forbidden to light up in hospitals on Tuesday as Greece enforced measures to kick the habit.

Public and private hospitals are now smoke-free zones and visitors are only allowed to puff away outside.

Only doctors and nurses can use the designated smoking areas inside the buildings, the Health Ministry said.

It said other public buildings such as tax offices and ministries would become no-smoking zones in a few weeks.

"I lit a cigarette this morning and three hospital staff came up to me and told me I have to go outside if I want to smoke," an elderly patient standing in the courtyard of Athens' Evangelismos Hospital said.

"I didn't know about the new regulation, but I'll respect it, what can I do?",he said, with a cigarette in one hand and the other in a sling.

Almost half of Greeks smoke, putting the small nation ahead of France, which is second with 38 percent.

"We are protecting 50 percent of Greeks from this bad habit and the other 50 percent, who don't smoke, from the bad habit of the smokers," AFP quoted Health Minister Costas Stefanis as saying.

There are no-smoking signs in most hospitals, public transport and taxis, but many Greeks ignore them.

The new measures banning smoking in all public services, private workspaces, schools and universities are part of a nationwide campaign launched in May.

As of December all of the country's restaurants, taverns and bars have to provide at least half their spaces to non-smokers and install adequate ventilation.

Only night clubs, late bars and traditional all-male coffee shops are exempt.

One month later outdoor cigarette advertising on billboards and adverts in cinemas will also be banned.

Cigarette commercials have already been banned from television.