VIENNA, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Smoking in Austrian pubs and restaurants is to be banned from Nov. 1, the lower-house National Council decided in a vote on Tuesday, according to an Austria Press Agency report.
The long-running issue in a country considered amongst the last in Europe to hold out with a smoking ban had initially appeared to be resolved with the implementation of the ban on May 1 of last year.
The then new conservative coalition government however overturned the decision largely due to the wishes of the right-wing populist Freedom Party.
Following the recent collapse of that coalition government, and amidst continued pressure from medical and civil interest groups, the ban has appeared on the agenda again, and has now been realized.
Only the Freedom Party voted against the ban in parliament.
The ban covers smoking at any public places where food and drink are prepared, served and consumed, including at halls, festival tents, and multi-purpose rooms. It includes the use of e-cigarettes and shishas.
Guests will however still be able to smoke in some pub and restaurant gardens and other similar arrangements.
