Health Minister Ab Klink is apparently prepared to make a gesture towards small cafes and bars, many of which have been badly hit by the smoking ban.

Sources in The Hague cited by the news agency ANP say the minister will propose an investigation into ventilation systems at the forthcoming cabinet meeting on Friday. Depending on the results of the investigation, he may decide that cafes and bars with adequate ventilation systems are not required to create separate smoking compartments. This will mean smoking will be allowed throughout the premises.
 

Two months ago the minister indicated that he intended to "repair" the legislation governing smoking in hotels, restaurants and bars. On two occasions, the courts had ruled that smoking was permissible in small cafes run by the owner without employees.
 

The minister emphasized that the smoking ban remains in force, but one-man bars did not receive visits from the Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (VWA) this summer since it has suspended its checks.