Cafés in Belgium not enforcing smoking ban

Three thousand inspections by the Public Health Minister’s office in Belgium has led that body to conclude that 16 percent of cafés do not enforce tobacco control legislation, according to a story in the Brussels Times.

“This is fewer than last year but the figure needs to be reduced faster,” said Paul Van den Meerssche, who is in charge of such inspections, in answer to questions from the Mediahuis press group.

Smoking in cafés has been banned since 2011 and owners risk heavy fines if they do not enforce the legislation.

“Fines went up at the end of the previous legislative term, said Van den Meerssche. “The maximum fine went from 1,600 euros to 5,000 euros, and cafés can now be shut down.”

Nevertheless, smoking goes on and plainclothes inspectors are sometimes verbally or physically abused.