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

The Czech parliament enacted legislation banning smoking in public spaces on Wednesday. Unlike most of Europe, Czechs had remained tolerant of smoking until now.

The Czech Republic on Wednesday enacted stringent legislation outlawing smoking in public spaces. The bill was signed on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day by President Milos Zeman, a chain smoker.

This puts to an end to the Czech Republic’s status as one of the last havens for tobacco aficionados in Europe, with citizens who are used to lighting up in cinema halls, cafés, restaurants, and sports venues, now having to search for a new national pastime.

Eastern Europe accounts for the lion’s share of tobacco consumed annually. A study conducted by the World Health Organization in 2014 on the per capita consumption of tobacco reveals that four of the erstwhile Iron Curtain countries are among the top ten consumers of tobacco, with 2194 cigarettes smoked per adult per year.

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.

On the other hand, countries like Greece are faced with the problem of enforcing existing legislation, with the law being flouted openly by government ministers.

After the Czech move, Slovakia appeared to be the only EU country left with no official ban in place inside bars.

The Czech Health Ministry said it estimated 18,000 Czechs die from smoking—related illnesses every year, and another two thousand non—smokers die due to exposure to second—hand smoke.

From Wednesday, which is World No Tobacco Day, violating the ban would incur a fine of up to 5,000 koruna ($190).

Most Czechs approve of the ban, but a group of lawmakers have challenged its legality it at the Constitutional Court.

Jakub Storek, owner of the Cafe Liberal in Prague a popular hangout among local smokers, said he opposed the ban.

“It is hard to predict the impact at the moment, but I guess it would be different clients coming here in the future,” he said

Stepan Ourecky, a patron of the Cafe Liberal, said that he would still come, but may choose to light up outside the café.

“Or perhaps, I will smoke less,” the 18—year old student said.