Netherlands | Nederland | Nederlân
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TOBACCO AND NICOTINE USE IN THE EU
KONSUM VON TABAK UND NIKOTIN IN DER EU
CONSOMMATION DE TABAC ET DE NICOTINE DANS L’UE
The law of the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, a smoking ban for workplaces, public buildings and public transport was introduced on January 1, 2004. Apart from public transport, all companies are allowed to designate rooms as “smoking rooms”, as long as they are especially designated for this.
From1 July 2008 smoking is banned in restaurants, coffee shops, bars, nightclubs, hotels. However, separated smoking areas are still allowed in closed off areas as long no drinks or food are served here and the enclosed smoking rooms have no size restrictions. Offenders face fines of €300 to €2,400.
- The Netherlands has permitted marijuana use in licensed cafes since 1976. The Tobacco Act applies only to the smoking of products wholly or partially made of tobacco and does not apply to joints constructed solely of marijuana. That means that Smoking pot or hashish in coffee shops remain legal; it just can’t be mixed with tobacco.
- The sale of tobacco products to persons under the age of 16 years old is forbidden.