Jump to full article: Agence France Presse (AFP) (fr), 2009-09-25
Intro: Croatia has made a U-turn on a law banning smoking in public after buckling to pressure from cafe and restaurant owners who told the government it was ruining their businesses.
The parliament on Thursday adopted an amended law that again allows smoking in cafes and restaurants in specially designated smoking zones covering no more than a fifth of any premises. The remaining four-fifths must be kept for non-smokers.
Cafes smaller than 50 square metres (538 square feet), however, will be allowed to decide whether to become a smoking or non-smoking establishment after meeting certain criteria.
Ever since the law banning smoking in all public places was introduced in May, managers of cafes and restaurants have pressed the government to amend it.
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