In 2011, the percentage of smokers over 18 years old was 25%, but this year it will go up by 170.000, according to TNS Nipo. This organization blames the increase on the relaxation of the smoking ban in small cafes and the removal of the help with stopping smoking from the basic health insurance package.
However, the Dutch health minister, Edith Schippers, opposes to the European Commission plans to put ‘gruesome’ photographs on cigarette packets and ban vending machines. She is critical with these measures and she also states that banning cigarette vending machines in cafes and clubs would be ‘too much of a burden’ for the sector.
