Dutch Events And Promoters Associations Pushing For Appeal Of Smoking Room Ban

Nick Perla – Smoking
The Court of Appeals in The Hague has banned designated smoking rooms in concert venues

The Netherlands banned smoking rooms in public spaces including concert venues, a decision that is now being challenged by Dutch associations VNPF and VVEM.

In 2004, the country enacted a smoke-free law that covered public transport and non-hospitality workplaces. Smoking was only allowed in separately ventilated rooms. This law was expanded to cover restaurants, cafes, bars, festival tents, nightclubs and concert halls in 2008.

Since last week, as per decision by the Court of Appeal in The Hague, not even separate areas for smokers are allowed at such venues anymore. Which is a problem, according to the country’s venue, festival and promoter associations VNPF and VVEM.

Both associations reportedly wrote an open letter to the Dutch minister for health, welfare and sports, Paul Blockhuis, calling for a review of the decision by the Supreme Court. One point of concern is that the law treats venue operators differently, depending on the sector they’re working in, because smoking rooms in offices and other public areas are still permitted. This also means that certain members of the public are being discriminated against by the new law.

The associations points out that their members, which include Amsterdam Arena, Ziggo Dome and AFAS Live, as well as some 400 festivals, attract around 25 million visitors per year. Members have invested heavily in the past to facilitate designated smoking areas to their guests. These investments would count for nothing if the law is adopted.

Last but not least, both associations believe, smoking cannot be completely banned from nightlife. People would find spots, and if that meant standing outside, a host of new challenges would ensue: non-smokers being disturbed by the smoke, residents being disturbed by the noise levels outside venues.

The last time a legal decision from the Netherlands created a stir in the events sector was in summer 2017, when the city council of the country’s capital Amsterdam introduced a limit of 85dB for large-scale outdoor events held in residential areas.