New anti-smoking legislation planned

Restaurateurs, bar owners and anti-tobacco groups have slammed new anti-smoking legislation, saying it merely legitimizes and enforces existing practices. The new law, which will come into effect July 1, will mean restaurants and bars will have to display a sticker on their entrances indicating whether they are smoking or nonsmoking establishments. In addition, venues that designate themselves as smoking will be able to set up nonsmoking areas - on the condition that the area is enclosed.

"These new rules are absurd, because they only legalize something that already exists," said Jorge Zúniga Pavlov, owner and general manager of La Casa Blů, a Spanish-themed bar in Old Town that went smoke-free last year. "Each pub, bar or café can already choose [whether to be smoking or nonsmoking] when they are established. The majority of establishments will stick with the changes, because the owners are afraid and have the erroneous idea that customers who smoke are more important."

Doctor and anti-smoking campaigner Eva Králíková meanwhile says the new laws were an "unnecessary" step.

All smoke and no fire

"There are plenty of good things in this amendment, but when it comes to smoking in restaurants, the law is virtually useless," she said. "People can go into a designated smoking area or outside the restaurant and bar and still light up. The printing of stickers is unnecessary as it doesn't really deal with the issue."

The Czech Republic lags behind its West European and global counterparts. Smoking is banned in restaurants, cafés, bars and nightclubs in countries like England, Sweden, Northern Ireland and Italy. Meanwhile, in some countries like Australia, the United States and Ireland, it is also illegal to smoke in some outdoor public places.

Max Munson, owner of the bar/restaurant Jáma and the recently opened Jáma Steakhouse, believes the changes are weak compared with other countries.

"In no way is it a bold move along the lines of Ireland's, England's and France's nonsmoking laws," he said, noting he is considering extending nonsmoking in the front area of Jáma until 10 p.m., as a similar practice at Jáma Steakhouse has worked well.

Ironically, the new laws actually give smokers more rights at tram and bus stops. Currently, legislation outlaws smoking at all bus/tram stop areas, but after July 1, smokers will be allowed to smoke at open bus/tram stops or at open platforms but not in the enclosed shelters.

Boris Šťastný, the Civic Democrat (ODS) deputy who introduced the amendment, defended the move, saying it cleared up a legal technicality.

"In many cases, it was impossible to define the exact space of a stop, which was often presumed by smokers," he said. "As a result, the amendment protects nonsmokers in enclosed areas, such as bars, restaurants and covered bus/tram stops."

But Šťastný still wants to fight for a complete ban of smoking in public places.

"It is necessary ... to force a total ban on smoking in public areas, which is already a matter of course in other European countries, and I intend to continue in my effort in this direction," he said.

- Klára Jiřičná contributed to this report.

Gabriella Hold can be reached at
ghold@praguepost.com