Punishment for venues boycotting the smoking ban
18 November 2008
"Cafés boycotting smoking ban will be closed! Tough measures from health minister" states the front-page headline in De Telegraaf. De Volkskrant’s front page reads "Severe measures against smoking" and AD prints "Minister threatens rebellious bar owners with closure".
De Volkskrant writes that the health and justice ministers decided that infringement of the anti-smoking law will now be prosecuted as an economic crime, as bars and cafés that allow patrons to smoke are guilty of unfair competition.
The actual amount is still undecided, but the fine will be higher than the current EUR 300 for a first offence. Punishment could also lead to the temporary closure of responsible venues. The paper quotes the health minister, "In this country, the laws have to be obeyed and they have to be obeyed by everyone."
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