He Signed! Czech Republic Officially Adopts Smoking Ban

President Miloš Zeman, a notorious smoker, signed the anti-smoking bill into law this afternoon

Expats.cz Staff Jason Pirodsky

Written by Expats.cz StaffJason Pirodsky Published on 14.02.2017 16:30:28 (updated on 14.02.2017) Reading time: 1 minute

Czech President Miloš Zeman officially signed the anti-smoking law this afternoon, Tyden.cz is reporting.

The president’s signature makes complete the ban on smoking in indoor areas of restaurants, theaters, cafes, and cinemas throughout the Czech Republic.

The bill was approved by both houses of Parliament in January. It will take effect on May 31 which is World No Tobacco Day.

Movie theaters, concert venues, exhibition halls, and indoor sports settings are banned from having separate rooms for smokers; critics of the ban failed to enforce the maintenance of separate smoking areas in restaurants.

E-cigarettes and hookahs are still allowed in cafes, bars, and restaurants.

Sanctions include a general crack down on the sales of alcohol and cigarettes and harsher penalties for the sales of tobacco and alcohol to minors.

Legislators are still working to pass a smoking ban on uncovered public transportation areas and the use of electronic cigarettes in hospitals, schools, and shopping centers.

Zeman, an avid smoker, was at one time an outspoken opponent of the smoking ban.

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