Fines tripled for smoking in bars

The federal public health ministry has warned of a new stricter enforcement of the smoking ban in bars. Owners who persist in ignoring the ban will now face fines of up to €6,000 – more than three times the previous amount. In addition, repeat offenders could find themselves in court facing a six-month closure order.

The smoking ban in bars came into force in 2011, four years after a ban was introduced in restaurants. Enforcement was initially more flexible, with inspectors issuing warnings, and a first-time fine for bar owners of €300. However, figures show that one in five bars in 2013 was in breach of the law.

The increased fines are mainly meant to deal with repeat offenders who have repeatedly ignored warnings and fines. The ministry also intends to take legal action in cases of verbal aggression against inspectors. Earlier this week, it was reported that police are being asked to accompany health inspectors in certain cases because of the danger of aggressive reactions on the part of owners and patrons.

Bar customers are also subject to the law, the ministry stressed. Anyone caught using tobacco in any form, as well as water-pipes and electric cigarettes, is also liable for a fine. Smoking is permitted only in separate, ventilated rooms, or in the open air.

In related news, the Jan Breydel stadium in Bruges has announced that it is now smoke-free. Club Brugge becomes the first football club in the country to ban smoking from its terraces, after a project initiated by the Flemish League Against Cancer. “Sport and smoking don’t go together,” said club chair Bart Verhaeghe.