In Austria’s restaurants and bars you can still smoke. The government of conservative ÖVP and right FPOe has lifted planned general ban on smoking in gastronomy with its majority of votes in parliament. This will allow restaurateurs to choose wher or not to ban smoking in future.
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The vote had been preceded by a heated debate. “Today y betray Schützenswerteste in this country, namely health of our children,” said health spokesperson of Social Democrats, Pamela Rendi-Wagner.
Austria is one of last countries in Europe where smoking can still be smoked in catering establishments. FPOe politicians pleaded for freedom of choice of guests and criticized a “ban culture” in country.
In fact, smoking in Austria would not have been tolerated in restaurants and bars from May. Three years ago, ÖVP had decided to do that with n coalition partner, Social Democrats.
Opposition and large parts of civil society have been protesting for weeks against government’s plan. A planned popular petition for a smoking ban already supports more than 543,000 citizens.
The step continues to apply current arrangement with separate smoking rooms in local. What is new is that young people under age of 18 are not allowed to buy cigarettes. Smoking in car is now also prohibited if re are minors.
