20 June 2007

WOERDEN – The hospitality industry in the Netherlands wants to know who is going to enforce the smoking ban that Public Health Minister Ab Klink plans to introduce from 1 July 2008.

In a letter to the minister published on Wednesday, industry association Koninklijk Horeca Nederland says the sector does not want to take on the role of "smoking police."

If the smoking ban comes into effect, café, restaurant and nightclub owners will inform their guests of this with signs and pictograms that make it clear that smoking is prohibited. But "others are responsible for enforcing the law," the branch organisation has told the minister.

Royal Horeca Nederland (KHN) thinks that just as in other countries in Europe where smoking is banned, smokers should be fined. "Enforcement has been arranged differently in other countries. The minister is going to have to decide how he wants to do that here, but we'll take a pass when it comes to this responsibility," said a spokesperson.

KHN thinks that Klink is not considering the consequences of a smoking ban thoroughly enough. A part of the hospitality industry will not yet be ready for a ban as of 1 July next year.

The organisation said that there are other stumbling blocks to the ban in addition to the legal implications. It fears increased nuisance on the streets from smokers and worries that many will resort to illegal cafes and bars where people will still be allowed to smoke.

[Copyright Expatica News + ANP 2007]

Subject: Dutch news