The Tobacco Act came into force in Holland in 2002. Pursuant to this act, it is forbidden to smoke in government buildings, institutions and other buildings, packs of cigarettes containing fewer than nineteen cigarettes may not be sold in Holland, nor is it allowed to sell tobacco to children under the age of sixteen. Moreover, tobacco advertising is not allowed anywhere in Holland, with the exception of tobacconists. The ban on tobacco advertising in newspapers and magazines came into effect in 2003. In addition, the tobacco industry is not allowed to sponsor any event.

No smoking in public transport

Owners of means of public transport (trains, buses, taxis, etc.) in Holland must ensure that their passengers are not bothered by smoke while travelling. In airplanes the ban on smoking was ordered quite a few years prior to this. It is now forbidden to smoke anywhere in railway stations in Holland: in the main concourse, on the escalators, in lifts, tunnels, passageways, waiting rooms and platforms that are roofed over. To oblige smokers, platforms with a roof have designated smoking areas. It is also allowed to smoke in the open air, for instance on platforms without a roof.

No smoking at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Effective 1 January 2008, no smoking is allowed in any of the public areas in the terminals of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, such as the bars, restaurants, etc. In all other public areas of the terminals smoking had already been prohibited prior to 1 January 2008. With this decision, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol anticipates the Tobacco Act, which will come into force throughout Holland on 1 July 2008 and which stipulates that all pubs, restaurants, etc. and public areas must be non-smoking. The public areas at the airport no longer have any smoking facilities. Travellers are allowed to smoke on Jan Dellaertplein and on the pavement at departure level. Smokers should note that it is not allowed to smoke in the departure lounges after they have gone through passport control.

No smoking in pubs, bars and restaurants as from 1 July 2008

Since 2004, employers in Holland have been bound to ensure that their employees are not bothered by smoking. The hospitality industry was exempt from this obligation, however, the Dutch cabinet has decided that all pubs, restaurants, etc. must be non-smoking, effective 1 July 2008. Staff in these establishments will enjoy the same protection as employees in other industries. This means that from 1 July 2008 it is no longer allowed to smoke in hotels, cafés and restaurants, fast food restaurants and discotheques. Smoking will no longer be allowed either in coffee shops, the cafés in Holland in which selling and using soft drugs is permitted, under certain conditions.
Individual establishments may set up closed smoking areas, however, staff will not be allowed to serve in these areas.