Parliamentary Healthcare Commission pushes for 2009 smoking-ban

The Czech parliamentary Healthcare Commission has recommended that the country outlaw smoking in its restaurants, bars and nightclubs as of January 1, 2009. The Parliament will discuss the matter officially at the end of the month. MPs have voted on whether to ban smoking in Czech restaurants in the past, but have always decided against the move. Despite an increasing number of European countries opting for a smoking ban in public places, the Czech Republic has been reluctant to follow suit, with many fearing that a ban would lower takings in pubs and restaurants, and infringe traders’ rights. Smoking is already banned in certain places in the Czech Republic, for example, the national rail network has outlawed smoking on its trains.

Author: Rosie Johnston