Text Box: Text Box: Text Box: ‘No Smoke Please, We’re Dutch’ 8/7/08 They said it could never happen in Holland- the most tolerant society in Europe if not the world. A culture of 'laissez-faire' almost and well known for their pioneering integration of both prostitution and soft drugs, surely couldn't impose conditions on their liberty? July 1 2008, the day the Public Smoking Ban came into effect and what a carry-on it all is. Let's get the rules straight- like the UK you cannot smoke tobacco within enclosed public areas- bars, cafes, workplaces etc. However, you CAN still smoke pure marijuana in designated places such as coffeeshops. If you think that sounds strange, just wait until you see it in the flesh. The vast majority of coffee shops within Amsterdam seemed quite well prepared for the change in legislation. One attendant at an establishment within the Red Light District told me that my packet of Drum tobacco was "strictly forbidden" within her walls. Shops with outside seating need only direct the traditional smokers straight outside and do so with that dashing but stern Dutch charm. And with the current climate in the Netherlands resembling their Oceanic colony, most of this demographic seem happy to go about their outlawed ways looking in from the outside. Though even the famous Dutch tolerance may not wash as the year and the weather deteriorate. Coco's Outback- a themed Aussie bar in Rembrandtsplein, have created their own smoking room- despite not actually offering coffeeshop facilities. The smoker-friendly bar allows you to smoke whatever you want to in the area, although staff are not allowed to enter it themselves. The big chains like The Grasshopper and the Bulldog seem to be distancing themselves from their marijuana-encrusted routes and branding themselves as "grand cafes". Though notably the Grasshopper is undergoing a refurbishment downstairs (the coffeeshop part) in its Oudebrugsteeg main base. But having air conditioning in each booth is really something only these coffeeshop conglomerates can afford to do. It seems other coffeshops will either need to follow suit or become fast-food-style cannabis stops. One patron in the Red Light District area pointed out that he was already noticing a loss in trade just two days after the ban had come into force. "Four customers in the bar now. There were six in there three hours ago. Actually three, that guy propping the bar up doesn't count as he's in here everyday and doesn't smoke anyway!" Whilst smoking bans are good for the public health- it just seems misguided imposing it in a city that prides itself on its liberty. And making the ban exclusive to tobacco rather than cannabis, just seems hypocritical. And as for tourists- well who fancies The famous ‘Grasshopper’ sitting in their hotel room all week puffing while the eventual wind and rain lashes down outside? These coming months will prove crucial for the future of Holland's smoking culture. CM Text Box: Links and affiliates Contact Me