Norway moves to ban smoking in pubs

The Norwegian government today proposed tough anti-tobacco legislation that it claimed could make it the first country in the world to totally ban smoking in all bars and restaurants.

“The main goal in the amendment is to protect employees, but also guests, from passive smoking,” said Minister of Health Dagfinn Hoeybraaten in announcing a proposal he called a milestone in the war on tobacco.

If passed by parliament, the law would take effect on January 1 2004. It would forbid restaurants and bars from having smoking sections, or even special smoking rooms without service.

Norway already has tough anti-smoking laws, with a ban on use in most offices and on public transport. It also heavily taxes tobacco to discourage use, with a pack of 20 cigarettes costing about €8.60.