Two-thirds of Dutch want smoking ban

AMSTERDAM – Almost two-thirds (62 percent) of the Dutch support a smoking ban in bars, restaurants and nightclubs. 53 percent say this kind of measure should be introduced soon. This emerged from a survey by TNS NIPO, commissioned by RTL Nieuws. Dutch catering industry businesses agreed some time ago that they would take voluntary measures to tackle the problem of smoking, but in practice little has actually been done. The new government wants to make efforts to ensure a smoking ban is in place by 2011. Several European countries including Italy and Ireland already have such a ban. More than a quarter of those asked (29 percent) thinks there should be no restrictions on smoking in bars, restaurants and nightclubs.//Copyright:Expatica + ANP 2007