Half a year after the anti-smoking law entered force in Moldova, the amount of fines levied from companies for allowing smoking in public has reached 250,000 Moldovan lei, roughly the equivalent of $12,500.

But a chief officer with the police says the total amount of fines, also applied on private people, has reached 2 million lei ($100,000.)

Smoking in public is fined 1,000-10,000 lei, but many feel not so scared by this fine.

However, the entertainment companies may lose their licenses, after getting three fines for allowing customers to smoke within their areas.