Zeman signs smoking ban with legislation set to take effect May 31

President Miloš Zeman has signed into law a ban on smoking in pubs and restaurants in the Czech Republic. The head of state had previously pledged not to veto the legislation as he had a “conflict of interest” on the matter as a chain smoker. The news means that the smoking ban will come into effect on May 31, which is World No Tobacco Day. Senate deputy chairman Jaroslav Kubera, a smokers’ rights advocate, says he is considering taking the matter to the Constitutional Court.

Author: Ian Willoughby