New Czech Smoking Ban Proposal is Even Stricter

After failing to pass anti-smoking measures last month, Czech MPs are back with a vengeance

Dave Park

Written by Dave Park Published on 08.06.2016 12:05:24 (updated on 08.06.2016) Reading time: 1 minute

What’s that old saying? “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again?”

There was a mild uproar last month when Czech MPs, after months of discussion, failed to pass anti-smoking legislation that would have prohibited lighting up in restaurants and pubs.

Despite being watered down in an effort to appeal to the most voters, the bill failed to garner support from even half of the MPs. Those included many in the ANO (YES) party, which was revealed to have received 500,000 CZK from a tobacco company days after the vote. 

Weeks later, however, and they’re at it again, reports iDnes.cz. And this time, they’re not messing around. 

New proposals for anti-smoking legislation target not only restaurants and pubs, but also theaters, cinemas, cafes and bars, sports arenas, exhibition halls, and hospitals, among other venues.

These venues would be entirely non-smoking, meaning the establishments wouldn’t even be able to set up separate non-smoking areas or rooms. Shopping malls and airports would be among the few venues permitted to continue to have smoking lounges.

While the legislation also includes some restrictions on the sale of alcohol, particularly at sports events and children’s events, it isn’t as severe as the previous bill.

Will this new legislation stand a better chance of passing?

I think I remember that saying. “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

Did you like this article?

Would you like us to write your article? Explore the options