Czech Minister Wants Smoking to Be Banned in Pubs, at concerts

Source from:  Ceskenoviny.cz 01/29/2015

Prague - Smoking might be completely banned in Czech pubs and at disco parties as from 2016, as might be the offer of cigarettes and alcohol by vendor machines, and pubs and bars might be temporarily closed if drunk kids were found there, under a bill proposed by Health Minister Svatopluk Nemecek.

The drink lists would have to offer at least one non-alcoholic drink that would be cheaper than beer or other alcohol, Nemecek (Social Democrats, CSSD) has proposed in the bill on the protection of health against the harmful impact of tobacco, alcohol and addictive substances, the text of which has been released by the government.

The same rules as for tobacco products are to apply to e-cigarettes.

It would also be forbidden to smoke in cinemas, theatres, sport arenas, schools, transport means and roofed platforms and roofed bus and tram stops.

The sale of cigarettes in vendors´ stands and by vendor machines would be banned. The sale of alcohol by vendor machines, at market places, in health facilities, schools and events for children would also be banned.

If a drunk child were found in a pub or a bar, it could be immediately closed down for two days, the bill suggests.

At present, sanctions can only be imposed if an inspector catches the staff red-handed serving alcohol to underage guests. This, however, is difficult to prove, the ministry writes in a document accompanying the bill.

The bill binds Internet dealers with tobacco and alcohol to introduce a control system to prevent children from buying such products. Enditem