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Complete smoking ban on the way

By The Copenhagen Post

Published 26.03.08   00:00 

The nation's smokers should brace themselves - a complete smoking ban will be enforced before long at all public places

Smoking will soon be banned in all pubs and cafés. Even in establishments smaller than 40 square metres.

This loophole has kept smoking alive for many of the country's small establishments, and although the rule is less than a year old, MPs with Liberal Party politicians in the lead are gearing up for a complete ban.

The present ban only encompasses establishments over 40 square metres, which has meant that customers or patrons of Danish 'værtshus' bars have been able to keep their puffing habits alive and well.

'The current smoking ban does not work,' Birgitte Josefsen, the Liberal party's heath spokesperson, told Berlingske Tidende newspaper. 'It is outdated and you're not less exposed to smoke just because you're in a small place.'

Social Democratic MPs also agreed to vote for a complete ban, saying it was illogical that it was permissible to smoke in small bars and not larger ones.

Restaurants and bars across the country have spent nearly DKK 177 million on establishing smoking rooms and outdoor smoking facilities.

Horesta, the organisation representing the nation's restaurants and hotels, was concerned that a complete ban was already in the works after so much had already been invested in providing space for smoking customers.

However, a spokesperson said that most people were used to not being able to smoke indoors so a complete ban would probably not be difficult to enforce.

Liberal MPs said they would continue allowing all pub-owners to establish smoking cabins. (LYT)

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