For The Love Of Smoke

This news edition is an Hommage to the Cigarette. I will be featuring Deviations that have to do with my best friend the cigarette. The following is the reason for my subject:

Tuesday, 1 July 2008 02:09 UK

Dutch smoking ban goes into force

A growing number of countries have bans on smoking in public places. A tobacco smoking ban has come into effect in cafes, bars and restaurants in the Netherlands. The country is following a growing trend across Europe and the world of bans on smoking in public places. Pro-smoking lobbyists say the ban will lead to a drop in business, but others say any losses will be made up by non-smokers going out more. Patrons of cannabis cafes will still be allowed to smoke marijuana as long as it is not mixed with tobacco. Possession of cannabis is illegal in the Netherlands, but holders of small amounts are not prosecuted. Smoking cannabis is permitted in licensed cafes. A Rotterdam cinema handed out free cigarettes on Monday night, hours before the ban came into force on Tuesday. One hospitality industry forecast said there has been an increase in the number of businesses up for sale ahead of the ban, as owners anticipated slower business because of smokers staying away from restaurants, cafes and bars. But other studies suggested that their numbers would be replaced by non-smokers going out more to enjoy a night out in a cleaner environment. Any businesses caught allowing customers to smoke would be warned and repeat offenders would face escalating fines, Chris Krikken, a spokesman for the Food and Wares Authority charged with enforcing the ban, told the Associated Press.

source: CNN.com

I know its kind of old "news" but it's Januari 2009 and in most bars people still smoke and the fines keep comming. The owners of bars have set up a mutual account to pay the fines out of. The point is: Nobody gives a damn because most people don't care if people smoke. A lot of people stay home in the weekend these days because of the ban on smoking.




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