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Most Czechs support further restrictions of smoking in public places, according to a survey conducted by the STEM agency in April. Two thirds of respondents believe restaurants should be required to provide non-smoking areas; 57 percent of respondents are in favour of a complete ban of smoking in public spaces, including restaurants, cafés and night clubs. The lower chamber debated an amendment to the anti-smoking law in March under which an absolute ban on smoking at restaurants could be introduced, but the bill was returned to the committees for further discussion.

Czech ice hockey keeper Tomáš Vokoun has been forbideen by his club, Florida Panthers, to take part in next month’s World Championships in Canada, the Czech national coach Alois Hadamczik said on Saturday. Vokoun has been suffering from a strain hernia since the end of the regular NHL season. He wanted to play in spite of the injury but doctors have recommended an immediate operation.

NATO has expressed support to Georgian Deputy Prime Minister Giorgi Baramidze in reaction to Russian moves to boost ties with the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Earlier this week, Russia made overtures saying it was in favour of strengthening cooperation in trade and culture with the regions, as well as providing protection for Russians. NATO spokesman James Appathurai confirmed on Friday that NATO is in favour of Russia reversing its position. NATO’s Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer expressed what he called “deep concern” over Russia trying to establish legal links with the regions, earlier this week. On Friday the Czech Foreign Ministry added its voice in a statement making clear the Czech Republic fully backed Georgia and Georgian sovereignty.

Police have been posted at the National Cemetery outside the Terezín Memorial after extensive thefts at the site. Culture Ministry spokesman Jan Cieslar said on Friday that a private security agency – which offered its services free of charge – would begin guarding the area next week. The firm will do so until May 18, when a ceremony honouring Holocaust victims will be held at the cemetery. By then, bronze plaques stolen from the site by unknown perpetrators will have been replaced, the Memorial’s director Jan Munk has said. The culture minister has stressed that a project including a camera-monitoring system was being put together, with the Culture Ministry ready to set aside funds. Hundreds of bronze plaques were stolen from the National Cemetery in Terezín in recent days: damages have been estimated at 2.5 million crowns.