Christian Democrats call for smoking ban to be lifted
05/11/2008
The party says small bars bordering Belgium and Germany are at a disadvantage as bars and cafes in the neighbouring countries allow customers to smoke.
THE HAGUE - The party executive of the Dutch Christian Democrats, CDA, the largest party in the coalition cabinet, has asked Health Minister Ab Klink to temporarily lift the smoking ban for small bars which border Belgium and Germany.
The executive supports a resolution to this effect which the Etten-Leur branch of the CDA is planning to submit to the party congress on Saturday. Etten-Leur, a municipality in North Brabant, is only a short distance from Belgium.
The Etten-Leur branch argues that bars and cafes in Belgium and Germany have an unfair advantage because their customers are allowed to smoke.
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