Smoking ban supported by 71 percent of Czechs

A tough smoking ban in pubs and restaurants, which went into force a year ago, is supported by 71 percent of Czechs, according to the results of a poll carried out by the Ipsos polling agency in cooperation with Charles University. Twelve percent of respondents were vehemently against the ban. Over 1,000 people were surveyed.

Surveys suggest that around a quarter of Czechs still smoke. The Constitutional Court recently rejected a complaint against the smoking ban on the grounds that it restricted the rights of individuals and entrepreneurs. A recent move to soften the ban in Parliament also failed.