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Czech restaurants, bars go smoke-free after years of debate

In this May 30, 2017 file photo two young people smoke in front of The Cafe Sladkovsky in Prague as the banner behind them asks guests to not make a noise and not disturb residents living in the neighbourhood after 10:00 p.m. The Czech Republic is enforcing from Wednesday, May 31, 2017 a smoking ban in bars, restaurants and cafes, putting to an end to the country's status as one of the last havens for tobacco smokers in Europe. A lot of restaurants and bars have established gardens and outdoor smoking spots for cigarette lovers. (Katerina Sulova/CTK via AP) SLOVAKIA OUT
In this May 30, 2017 file photo two young people smoke in front of The Cafe Sladkovsky in Prague as the banner behind them asks guests to not make a noise and not disturb residents living in the neighbourhood after 10:00 p.m. The Czech Republic is enforcing from Wednesday, May 31, 2017 a smoking ban in bars, restaurants and cafes, putting to an end to the country's status as one of the last havens for tobacco smokers in Europe. A lot of restaurants and bars have established gardens and outdoor smoking spots for cigarette lovers. (Katerina Sulova/CTK via AP) SLOVAKIA OUT In this May 30, 2017 file photo two young people smoke in front of The Cafe Sladkovsky in Prague as the banner behind them asks guests to not make a noise and not disturb residents living in the neighbourhood after 10:00 p.m. The Czech Republic is enforcing from Wednesday, May 31, 2017 a smoking ban in bars, restaurants and cafes, putting to an end to the country's status as one of the last havens for tobacco smokers in Europe. A lot of restaurants and bars have established gardens and outdoor smoking spots for cigarette lovers. (Katerina Sulova/CTK via AP) SLOVAKIA OUT

By Associated Press 2 min read

PRAGUE (AP) – A smoking ban in Czech bars, restaurants and cafes came into effect Wednesday, putting to an end to the Czech Republic’s status as one of the last havens for tobacco smokers in Europe.

The ban, which applies to inside areas of bars and restaurants as well as public places like cinemas, theaters and sports venues, was approved by Parliament following years of heated debate and signed by President Milos Zeman, a chain smoker.

Unlike most of Europe, Czechs had remained tolerant of smoking up till now – and it was up to restaurant owners to decide whether to allow it in their establishments.

According to data from the European Union, 17 member states have comprehensive smoke-free laws in place. But some, including Austria, Portugal, Romania and non-EU member Serbia, only have partial bans on indoor smoking in restaurants and bars.

Others, like Greece – which has official bans but the rules are widely flouted, even by government ministers – have problems with enforcement.