Dutch Smoking Ban Applies to Tobacco, Not Marijuana June 20, 2008
News Summary
You can still light up in a Dutch cafe after July 1, but only if you're smoking marijuana, not tobacco.
Bloomberg reported June 20 that the Netherlands' new indoor-smoking ban allows patrons to smoke inside marijuana "coffee shops" as long as the joint is pure cannabis. But cutting joints with tobacco will be illegal.
Tobacco smoking also will be banned in other public places except in separate, unstaffed rooms.
"Every customer will have to learn how to smoke pure,'' said Robert Kempen, co-owner of The NooN and Mellow Yellow Amsterdam coffee shops.
"Sales will definitely fall," said Rida Oulad, a coffee-shop employee. "Why would you go to a coffee shop where you can't smoke and the only remaining activities are sitting and watching television?"
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