Cabinet plans smoking ban at petting zoos and childcare centres

The cabinet wants to make smoking illegal at petting zoos (kinderboerderijen), childcare centres and staffed playgrounds (beheerde speeltuinen). Many of these places already have a voluntary ban, but not all are smoke-free. The law still has to pass the Tweede Kamer and the Eerste Kamer, the Senate.

The cabinet says it wants children and young people not to be exposed to smoke or start smoking themselves.

Ordinary playgrounds are left out because a ban there could not be enforced. Municipalities would have to do it, which would put too much pressure on them. They can still decide themselves to make those places smoke-free.

Smoking is already banned at train stations and platforms and on the grounds of universities and schools. The NVWA supervises. A violation does not lead to a fine for the smoker but for the manager of the outdoor area. It often starts with a warning, but the NVWA can also fine from €600. The amount can rise if a manager keeps breaking the rules.

A legal ban on café terraces is not planned. The cabinet chose to start with places where mainly children go, because of enforceability. A later phase could cover places where many children go alongside adults, such as amusement parks, zoos and open-air swimming pools. No decisions have been taken on that.