Rookverbod Denemarken opgeschort
De invoering van een rookverbod in de horeca, dat was gepland voor 1 april, is vier maanden uitgesteld, tot 15 augustus. Volgens de beleidsmakers is dit nodig om alle ins en outs van de invoering beter te bestuderen.
Het rookverbod in Denemarken is gepland voor alle publieke ruimtes en in bars, café’s en restaurants met een oppervlakte groter dan 100 vierkante meter, waarbij aparte rookruimtes mogen worden ingericht. Kleinere bars mogen zelf beslissen wat ze willen doen.
Rudingaard said that a large majority of lawmakers still backed the idea, adding that the ban would now come into effect on August 15 rather than April 1 as planned.
From that time it will be illegal to smoke in public buildings, shopping centres, sports halls, cultural centres and other public spaces.
Smoking will also be banned in bars, cafes and restaurants bigger than 100 metres squared (1,070 square feet), although separate smoking areas will be allowed. For smaller venues, it will be up to the owner to decide.
The government believes the private sector should also take action on smoking but refuses to legislate in this area.
Official statistics from 2005 suggest 28 per cent of the Danish population smoke, including 31 per cent of men and 25 per cent of women, against 41 per cent and 37 per cent ten years earlier.
