Prague - On Thursday, 19 January 2017 the Czech Senate voted by a wide margin (45-12) to approve a smoking ban in bars, restaurants and cafes in the Czech Republic.

Under the new legislation movie theaters, concert venues, exhibition halls and indoor sports settings would be banned from having separate rooms for smokers.

With the lower House having already given its green light in December 2016, the Czech Republic is one step away from introducing effective smokefree legislation. To become effective, the law needs the President’s signature, expected in the coming weeks.