Austria bans smoking in bars and restaurants

Austria banned smoking in bars and restaurants on Friday, bringing the country’s laws into line with most other European nations.

Smokers who break the ban will have to pay €1,000, and owners of establishments who allow patrons to smoke will be fined $2,000 rising to €10,000 if found repeating the offense.

The smoking ban also applies to shishas and E-cigarettes.

The indoor smoking ban came into effect after lawmakers approved the move in July.

Before the new law came into force, Austrians were still able to light up while drinking and eating inside bars and restaurants larger than 50 square meters, and as long as this was in a separate area, although this was not strictly enforced.

The smoking ban will now apply to all such establishments.

Via DW