COPENHAGEN (AP)--Denmark on Wednesday joined the swelling ranks of European countries that have banned smoking in bars, restaurants and other public places.
The Danish law was initially due to take effect on April 1, but was delayed until Aug. 15 to allow pub and restaurant owners to build the necessary facilities for smokers.
The law allows people to light up in separate smoking rooms and in secluded one-person workplaces. Smoking is also allowed in bars that are smaller than 40 square meters (430 square feet).
Nearly one in four people in this country of 5.4 million is exposed to passive smoking, according to the National Board of Health.
The board said passive smoking was responsible for the deaths of at least 150 Danes and the hospitalization of more than 1,000 every year.
Ireland, Italy, Malta, Norway, Sweden and the U.K. are among the European countries that have already banned smoking in public places.
Source: http://www.easybourse.com/Website/dynamic/News.php?NewsID=286782&lang=fra&NewsRubrique=2&pageliste=10 |
