Photo by Reneeanddolan An indoor/outdoor cafe in Netherlands image:41336:1::0

The law was enforced today, so any business caught allowing customers to smoke cigarettes inside their premises will be warned first and then given a fine if they are caught again.

Chris Krikken, a spokesman for the Food and Wares authority says they will enforce the ban across the nation.

Pro-smoking lobbyists are concerned this ban will affect businesses, but others say it will just make the non-smokers go out more.

The cannabis cafe owners are breathing a sigh of relief, as lawmakers will allow citizens to smoke marijuana. However, cannabis cafes are only allowed to sell pure marijuana and no mixing with tobacco is allowed.

One study predicted that a number of businesses will be put up for sale after the ban because they expect slower business.

But other studies said there will be a boost in sales, as many non-smokers will go out more.

There were smoking bans (mostly private banning) introduced in the area of the U.S. in which I live and I haven’t seen a decline in their sales. It is less stuffy inside cafes and restaurants and many seem to enjoy dining out more often.

Most probably, it will be the same in Netherlands. However, if they introduce a ban on marijuana it might be a different case altogether.