Restaurants smoke-free by 1 January 2008
18 April 2007
AMSTERDAM – The Royal Horeca Netherlands Association (KHN), the sector organisation for businesses in the catering industry, has proposed to Public Health Minister Ab Klink that a smoking ban be introduced for hotels, restaurants and fast-food restaurants by 1 January 2008.
Businesses in the sector are willing to eventually accept a ban, but want smoking to be allowed in cafes, bars and nightclubs until 2011.
The minister said in an initial reaction that he will be sticking to his intention to ban smoking throughout the catering industry as soon as possible, hopefully next year. But he will take the proposals from the sector into consideration when making a final decision. This decision is expected in May.
Klink said it was a small victory that the catering industry was now accepting that smoking should, in principle, be banned. His main concern is the protection of workers in the industry. He does have doubts however about the distinction being made between cafes and restaurants and whether this can be adequately monitored.
The Foundation for Public Health and Smoking (Stivoro) does not like the proposal to gradually introduce a smoking ban in restaurants, cafes, bars and nightclubs. Stivoro says the health of a barman in a café is just as important as that of a waiter in a restaurant.
A survey by Stivoro indicates that 75 percent of business owners in the catering industry want a smoking ban introduced throughout the sector at the same time. Belgium introduced a ban for half of the catering industry businesses in January and this has led to great confusion, Stivoro says.
Source: http://www.expatica.com/actual/article. ... y_id=38851
Restaurants smoke-free by 1 January 2008
this happend in ontario, canada and i must say it sucks... going to bar and not being able to have a butt..or have a butt after a good meal..
i always loved that about amsterdam , you can pretty much smoke anywhere
but at the same time, im sure people will be able to have smoking patio's or rooms that will fulfill the smoking need.
hope it all works out
i always loved that about amsterdam , you can pretty much smoke anywhere
but at the same time, im sure people will be able to have smoking patio's or rooms that will fulfill the smoking need.
hope it all works out
reading soft secrets i got the impersion that somehow coffee shops where going to be affected by the new laws regarding smoking.imo i dont think it will but the law set to roll in has me puzzled.
the law regarding "no smoking in any public places" is that going to effect coffee shops?
my sense says no,just that interview had me puzzled enough,then i meet a older guy and he claims (legaly) it will but like me thinks amsterdam will remain the same for many years to come.
the law regarding "no smoking in any public places" is that going to effect coffee shops?
my sense says no,just that interview had me puzzled enough,then i meet a older guy and he claims (legaly) it will but like me thinks amsterdam will remain the same for many years to come.