Broadcasting company VPRO will receive a fine of €600 on Wednesday for allowing a guest on a chat programme to smoke.

The live programme, Zomergasten, features an interviewer talking to one guest for three hours. The guest chooses his or her favourite television and film scenes which form the basis of the discussion.

Last Sunday’s guest, cabaret artist Hans Teeuwen, is a heavy smoker and lit up during the programme. There was an ashtray on the table.

Smoke-free

Smoking is banned in the workplace and the Dutch food safety body NVWa will fine either the VPRO or the owner of the studio where the programme was made.

‘The law says everyone has the right to a smoke-free workplace,’ an NVWa spokesman told Nos television. ‘In this case, that includes the interviewer, the cameraman and the sound technician.’

In a reaction, the VPRO said: ‘We await the consequences.’