Smoking: Dutch ban goes up in smoke
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What would a mini-series on smoking in Europe be without a visit to the Netherlands? Its lenient laws on cannabis are world famous. But things changed when the Dutch introduced a smoking ban in 2008. Euranet investigates how this has affected the bars and infamous coffee shops of the Netherlands.
Dutch implementation of the ban on tobacco in all public places faced a problem not yet encountered by some of its predecessors, namely - cannabis smoking. How can you ban something that is already illegal yet is tolerated by law?
In 1976 the Dutch government unveiled a policy of non-enforcement of laws on the consumption and possession of cannabis. It allowed licensed coffee shops sell 5 grams of cannabis to consumers over 18 years old. The 2008 ban means that consumers are no longer allowed cut their joint with tobacco, leaving them the option of smoking a pure joint or not skinning up at all.
A 220-strong army of inspectors from the Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority enforce the ban. Their spokesman said: “They can tell the difference between a mix or a pure joint from its smell and appearance.”
Some coffee shops are offering herbal substitutes while others are stocking up on weed-laced “space cakes”. But despite the highly sensitive nostrils of the smoke ban soldiers, many coffee shop proprietors will most likely just ask you to remove your tobacco or cigarettes from the table so as not to arouse suspicion.
“Divine inspiration”
The ban has also left regular café and bar owners complaining about a loss of business. A number of bars and cafes have created a smoking room, where smokers can enjoy their drink or food but staff cannot enter. But some simply don’t have the space.
Although like most problems, there is always a solution.
The One True Universal Smoker’s Church of God - who claims their right to light up is protected as a religious freedom as enshrined in the Dutch constitution - was established in 2001. Some card-carrying members of the religious group are exploiting the loophole by changing their bar into a church.
Membership has skyrocketed from 200 before the ban to 3,000 today. And the church’s founder Michiel Eijsbouts recalls the day he dreamt up the idea as a moment of “divine inspiration.”
However, on closer inspection article six of the constitution allows the freedom of religion once it doesn’t impede existing law.
Nonetheless, whether it is smoking in the name of God or just ignoring the law it appears that the Dutch ban has not yet been the roaring success the government hoped.
