Smokers were ordered to extinguish their cigarettes on June 5 as widespread smoking bans came into effect across Estonia. Smoking is now prohibited in bars, clubs, restaurants and casinos. Police have the power to fine smokers 1,200 kroons (77 euros) if they fail to butt out, and bars that allow customers to smoke will be liable for fines of up to 30,000 kroons. Smoking is now only allowed on outdoor terraces or in specially-built smoking rooms.
Almost nine out of ten tax returns in the country were filed via the Internet, another sign that Estonia is now an online society. The Tax and Customs Board said 45,000 e-tax returns for 2006 were submitted by the end of May, representing 86 percent of all returns, and an increase of 11.6 percent from 2005. Private income increased by 22 percent to 61.2 billion kroons, placing Estonia's average monthly salary at 9,300 kroons (594 euros), compared to 7000 kroons in 2005.
A May survey of Russia's residents showed that Estonia is now viewed as the most hostile nation, ahead of Georgia and Latvia. About 60 percent of people surveyed named Estonia as Russia's new number one enemy. Georgia, Latvia, the United States and Lithuania followed. No doubt the removal of the Bronze Soldier and the subsequent riots helped push Estonia into the public sphere. Last year, the same survey found Latvia to be the most hostile, showing that Russian residents are ready to react to perceived negative events on their borders.
