Smoking in The Netherlands
Due to the health issues it causes, the Dutch government has restricted smoking in the Netherlands in public places and how cigarettes and tobacco can be sold.
Over the past two decades, the Netherlands department of health (RIVM) has expanded the restrictions placed on smokers in public places. The Tobacco Act of 2002 introduced a ban on smoking in all government buildings and on public transport. This was followed in 2004 by regulations mandating smoke-free work environments.
In 2008, the law was expanded to ban cigarette smoking in all bars, restaurants and night clubs. Since that time, additional locations have been made off-limits including gyms and health clubs, school grounds, shopping malls, leased business vehicles, hospitals and medical facilities.
The goal of the ban is not to restrict personal liberties but rather to limit the harmful effects passive cigarette smoke has on others. The government’s position is laid out in the publication ‘The National Prevention Agreement‘
The government has levied significant taxes on the sale of cigarettes in the Netherlands. The revenue generated from the taxes goes toward covering smoking-related costs in public health care.
It is against the law for retailers in the Netherlands to sell tobacco products to customers under 18 years of age.
As part of the EU, the Netherlands implements union-wide directives related to the sale of tobacco products. The sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored tobacco products has been banned in all EU countries (including at airport duty-free shops) since May 2020.
Since 1st July 2020, supermarkets can no longer openly display cigarettes; they must be kept in drawers or cabinets not visible to the public. The same rule came into effect for tobacconist and other specialty retailers a year later.
Supermarkets in the Netherlands will be banned from selling cigarettes altogether from 1st July 2024. More restrictions on the sale of tobacco products and e-cigarettes can be found here.
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