Public smoking becomes illegal throughout Germany (AFP)

BERLIN (AFP) - Lighting up in bars and restaurants become illegal across Germany's 16 states on Tuesday, spelling the end of the country's status as one of Europe's last smokers' havens. North-Rhine Westphalia and Thuringia became the last two regions to implement public smoking bans on July 1, all other states having done so piecemeal since late 2007. In Berlin, where a ban took effect on January 1, smokers were granted a six-month period of grace that expired on Tuesday and those who breach the ban now face fines of 1,000 euros (1,575 dollars). In the eastern state of Saxony, fines can run up to 5,000 euros but in the northern port of Hamburg and Thuringia, in eastern Germany, the highest fine authorities can issue is 500 euros. The wealthy southern state of Bavaria is considered to have the country's toughest public... [read full story]