Zagreb  - Croatia on Friday watered down its ban on smoking in cafes and restaurants just five months after it was introduced - in what one newspaper criticized as a "defeat of common sense."

Changes to the anti-smoking law now allow cafes smaller than 50 square metres to decide whether they will remain smoke free, while larger cafes and restaurants may introduce smoking areas.

The smoking area must be at least 10 square metres, but not larger than one-fifth of the total area. No drinks and foods may be served there.

Stricter ventilation and filtering rules also came in effect, though with a six-month grace period for their implementation in establishments which opt to re-open doors to smokers.

Places like educational and medical institutions will remain off limit to smokers, with the exception of patients in psychiatric hospitals.

"Bar owners defeat common sense," the Jutarnji List daily said, pointing out that Croatia is the only country to "change its mind" and stop protecting non-smokers from cigarette exhaust.

It said that Croatia spends 3 billion kuna (600 million dollars) annually to treat smoker illnesses, which is far more than the losses cafe, bar and restaurant owners suffered because of the smoking ban.

Croatia followed in the wake of larger European countries, such as France, Germany, Britain and Ireland, who have all introduced bans on smoking in public places in recent years, largely successfully. (dpa)