During his time in office, the plucky politician tried repeatedly to push through strong anti-smoking laws, but his bill was struck down each time, most recently last April.

Though he lost his parliamentary seat in the elections last June, Janeček isn't letting his fight die. On Jan. 16, he introduced a petition to the Chamber of Deputies, urging lawmakers to revisit a smoking ban in all workplaces, including bars and restaurants.

The new government, which received a vote of confidence Jan. 19, could contain the right political balance needed to make his dream a reality, he believes.

"The emphasis on the protection and prevention [against tobacco] is part of the [new] government's proclamation, so we will see what happens," he says.

In the meantime, smoking kills 50 Czechs every day.

The Green Party (SZ) also strongly supports tougher laws.

"In our program, it specifically says that we support a ban on smoking in restaurants," says SZ spokeswoman Eva Rolečková.

There is dissent, however, in the coalition government, which brings together the KDU-ČSL, SZ and the Civic Democratic Party (ODS). Members of the ruling ODS have spoken out strongly against a smoking ban.

"It's not only about smoking — it's the principle," says ODS Senator Jaroslav Kubera, who, in an interview last year with the daily Mladá fronta dnes, called supporters of a ban "psychological terrorists."

"It shouldn't be about banning things and snooping on people," he says. "It should be about prevention and education of the public."

Children at risk

Janeček can at least agree with that: Prevention and education is his main focus now that he's no longer a deputy. He serves as chairman of Parents Against Indifference, a group that seeks to reduce the exposure of children to such vices as tobacco and gambling.

Drahoslava Hrubá, a professor of medicine at Brno's Masaryk University, says youth smoking is a growing problem.

According to her research, 18 percent to 20 percent of Czech 15-year-olds smoke on a daily basis, and nearly 60 percent of youths under 18 have tried cigarettes.

In the past 10 years, "The age when kids start smoking has gotten younger. They start when they are 10–11 years old," she says.

She believes the state needs to get more invested in the problem. Recently, she worked with 13 primary schools to encourage pupils to kick their tobacco habits. The program showed success, "But, when we left and the prevention was the business of the school, almost all the kids returned to smoking," she says.

A law passed in June 2005 that went into effect last spring bans smoking in certain public places, like schools and tram stops. However, the bill was diluted during negotiations and stopped short of banning smoking in bars and restaurants, Janeček says, making it "a big victory for the tobacco lobby."

"This law was [only] a very slight improvement on the previous situation," says Kateřina Langrová of the Czech Anti-Tobacco Coalition. "There has been no political will to pass something that is effective."

The Czech Republic lags behind the rest of Europe in getting tough on smoking. Last March, EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou criticized the Czech Republic for its weak anti-tobacco legislation, the Czech News Agency reported.

Changing times

While the government debate continues, an increasing number of establishments have voluntarily gone smoke-free.

Though some argue businesses will suffer in the face of a ban, Ivo Lorenc disagrees. He's the owner of the Kolíbka café and teahouse in New Town, which went smoke-free last October.

"I am a nonsmoker, and I really mind when I can stay in my own restaurant for only half an hour before my eyes start tearing," he says. His patronage declined for only the first month.

"Then a new group of visitors appeared: mothers with kids. Even the smokers are satisfied now because, instead of having 10 cigarettes, they'll maybe smoke only five now because they have to go outside," he says.

Nearby, at the Monarch wine bar, customers sip vintages in a completely smoke-free environment. But banning cigarettes was a practical decision — smoking affects one's palate, and can dull the appreciation of a fine wine — and not an ethical one, manager Irina Jiranová says.

She's opposed to a blanket ban: "It should be up to the individual bar or restaurant owner if they want to ban smoking."

Despite these improvements, Janeček will continue lobbying for more.

"[Passing further laws] is going to be difficult because the tobacco lobby is a very strong and powerful opponent," he admits. "But this is not only a question of political opinion. We also have to change the public point of view and opinion."

Hela Balínová and Naďa Černá contributed to this report.