Smoking Will Be Banned in Food Establishments in Montenegro

The ban comes into force on Wednesday, August 14. The law applies to enclosed spaces where food and drinks are consumed. Venue owners may set up a separate smoking room. At the same time, it must be isolated and have an area of at least 10 sq. m. The new law does not apply to casinos. Gambling establishments are already required to purchase special ventilation equipment and air purifiers. "We always have problems with certain individuals. I personally respect someone who wants to have a glass of good wine with a cigarette. But he must also understand that not everyone likes smoke, and he will have to comply with the law," said the chairman of the Budva Restaurant Association, Vido Markicevic. Many citizens and catering establishments support the law. However, there will be problems with its enforcement at first, media report. "When you arrive as a guest in a European Union country, you see that local cafes either have smoking rooms or visitors go outside. We must understand that the times we had before must change," Markicevic noted.