Chamber rejects bill - including ban on smoking in restaurants

A bill amendment put forward by Christian Democrat MP Josef Janecek banning smoking in Czech restaurants, has not found necessary approval in the Chamber of Deputies. The amendment was put forward on the back of another bill on insolvency, not thematically-related. The ban was included in order to try and see it passed ahead of upcoming general elections. Current legislation in the Czech Republic bans smoking in public places like tram or bus stops, but not in restaurants; MP Janecek - a long-time opponent of smoking - has pledged to continue pushing for such a ban until he meets with success.