Dutch Group Fighting Government 'Meddling'

Source from:  tr.itsmyiq.com Oct 19, 2007 10/22/2007

A Dutch group this week presented to the Netherlands' parliament a petition with nearly 100,000 signatures calling for the scrapping of smoking restrictions due to come into force next year. According to a report by John Tyler for Radio Netherlands, Kees Uitenbroek, the leader of the group, the Party Against Nannyism, says he resents government meddling. An estimated 30 per cent of Dutch adults smoke, and they have become increasingly vociferous and organized. They have formed a number of groups to fight for smokers' rights including, Against the Smoking Ban, Forces Smokers Club and Smokers Revolution. But the new restrictions proposed by the government are widely supported in parliament and, with a few minor changes, are likely to become law. This will mean that smoking will be banned in restaurants and bars, except in rooms separated from the rest of the establishment and not serviced by staff. Enditem