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Smoking ban flouted in many small cafesThursday 22 October 2009 The smoking ban is being ignored in almost half of the country's smallest bars and cafes, according research by the food safety authority VWA. Before the courts ruled small cafés without staff were not covered by the ban only 15% still allowed smoking. The inspectors checked 6,479 bars, cafes and restaurants between July and October and handed out 184 fines. In total, some 27% of bars and cafes still allow smoking, the inspectors said. This is up 10 percentage points on the previous figures. One in 10 has set up a sealed-off area for smokers. Health minister Ab Klink has pledged to close the loophole which allows cafes without staff to break the ban. © DutchNews.nl
The ability of the Dutch legal system to enforce this ban is at a crucial crossroads. Should they be unable to effectively apply this smoking ban it will set a precedent that will adversely effect the future authority of the courts, law enforcement and the legislative process - who will take them seriously? And, what will come of legislating the dangers to public health and safety? By Buzzer | October 22, 2009 4:31 PM i can understand no smoking in a place which serves food, hell i am a smoker and even i dont like smoky restaraunts BUT make hotels exempt PLEASEEEEE it is killing tourism, i have had to look high and low to find a hotel i can smoke in, you have any idea how hard it is to find one with a balcony By adhd | October 22, 2009 5:17 PM Does not surprise me. It seemed to me most café owners and staff were actually proud of breaking the law. By Thierry Bouchard | October 22, 2009 7:05 PM We went into one place in South Limburg where they said smoking was mandatory. hahaha. We sat outside. By Michael Mitchell | October 23, 2009 6:26 AM Of course there need to be choices. Smoking symbols outside cafe's, hotels etc that indicate whether it's a smoking or non-smoking venue should give people the choice whether to enter the premises or go elsewhere. By Ondersteboven | October 23, 2009 9:17 AM Civil liberties are being eroded fast - even in The Netherlands, which is very disappointing. Beware! The average citizen needs to keep their eye on their government, and let them know how they feel. Democracy is failing us in Western Europe. We are entering a new age of 'nanny states' and civil oppression. By HDLewis | October 23, 2009 6:15 PM And after closing the loophole on smoking, Ab Klink will close the loophole that allows people to post comments about it. By Marc | October 26, 2009 10:05 PM
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That's great. It means there's a choice of smoking or non-smoking pubs, the owner chooses whether their pub is smoking or non-smoking and everyone has a choice and is happy (apart from Ab Klink and other anti-smoking nazis)
Why does Mr Klink want to interfere further? What happened to Dutch tolerance and compromise? Why is it ok to smoke weed in a coffee shop but not tobacco in a pub?
By Mark | October 22, 2009 4:12 PM