Federal Chancellery

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The door of the famous Café Rüdigerhof in Vienna now shows a no-Smoking-sign

Austria was once called the "ashtray of Europe", But has finally banned Smoking in restaurants, bars and cafes.

The decision came after years of controversy. Austria was thrown on The Verge of a total ban last year, But the plans were on the pile, because of the pressure from the extreme right-wing freedom party, was part of The Last government.

But it was introduced after The Fall of The Coalition in may, the ban and entered into force on 1. November.

Some restaurants and cafes went no-Smoking a few years ago, But the others are allowed to smoke right up to The Last minute.

As you will be dealing with The Change ?

Wratschko

Wratschko is something of a Viennese institution. A pub with a venerable wood paneling and worn-out, old Wallpaper, it serves deeply traditional Viennese cuisine.

And until a few weeks ago, it would be full of cigarette smoke. Customers who had food in the non-Smoking area on the back to go for a walk through the smoky bar to get there.

Its owner, Clemens Wratschko, says the Atmosphere has improved and it is better for his employees.

BBCThe smell in The Restaurant is much better, because you smell now only The Soup comes from The Kitchen , and the food. And that is not overwhelmed by the smoke, Clemens Wratschko
owner, Wratschko

"My employees are almost all smokers, and I said to them, you will not be happy, because you have to breathe secondhand smoke, you'll smoke a lot less than before and the next day you feel fresher than before. "

Some bars and discos have complained that fewer customers come because of the ban and that they have lost between 15% and 25% of sales. But Clemens Wratschko says he has not noticed a drop in numbers.

He thinks the people come back in The Night -clubs in France, Italy and other countries, the Smoking bans have been introduced.

"the people want to go to and meet friends, enjoy a kind of Atmosphere . People, meet your friends in a pub or in a bar," he said.

Café Rüdigerhof

Down the street in the Café Rüdigerhof, I met Ricci, has been a waiter for 25 years. He says that after he protest a few Days Away , all of his regulars are back now, despite the ban, and they are now Smoking less.

"Before you smoked a pack of cigarettes in The Cafe , and now, maybe you are happy because you smoke two or three cigarettes, because you need to go outside. I don't think it is a Problem . "

BBCOf of course, it is better for me and my work. We have to work in the Smoking area. But it' s a lot better. I breathe says a lot of bed Ricci
waiter, Café Rüdigerhof

Ricci, he is very pleased about the ban. "Of course it is better for me and my work. We have to work in the Smoking area. But it is much better. I can breathe much better. "

But , Clemens Wratschko, himself a smoker, admits to a certain nostalgia for the smoky old days.

"Maybe I'm a bit sentimental. In my pub, the very old rooms at The Front , with The Bar , with The Taste of smoke and alcohol. had And Then you had the dining-room or eating-room, with a little more an excellent Atmosphere . "

But he says the Smoking ban brings new qualities.

"We have better air. The clothes smell better the next day. And we feel a bit healthier, a bit less of a headache. "

What is the public reaction? to be

In General, the prohibition of the holding in Vienna seems to be.

the Numbers from mid-November to say that the inspectors carried out More Than 2,000 inspections of restaurants, and reported that 27 violations of the ban.

Shisha-bars the initiation of legal action are currently, to try to make an exception for your company.

A survey of an Austrian news magazine suggests that the majority of Austrians are in favour of the ban.

about 700 people protested But in The Last month, however, in front of the Federal Chancellery . The Demonstration was accompanied by the disgraced former head of the extreme right-wing FPÖ, Heinz-Christian Strache.

As Smoking bans have spread in Europe

vienna, austria, smoking

Source of news: bbc.com