Travelers hoping to light up a cigarette while they explore the Czech Republic have been dealt a major blow.
The Associated Press reported the European destination has approved a smoking ban after years of debate.
President Milos Zeman's signature means that smoking will be banned inside bars, restaurants and cafes across the country. The legislation will also apply to other notable public spaces tourists often frequent, including movie theaters and sporting venues.
While some lawmakers have challenged the ban at the Constitutional Court, according to the AP, most Czechs are in agreement that it's the right decision.
The nation certainly isn't alone when it comes to frowning upon public smoking. The AP reports that 17 European Union member states have adopted broad smoke-free laws and that Slovakia now stands alone as the final member without an official indoor ban in place.
Beyond many popular destinations and attractions, it's no secret the travel industry has made a concerted effort in recent years to appease the majority of non-smoking travelers. More and more hotels have been going smoke-free of late while airports, car rental companies and cruise ships have followed suit.
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"It's a sensible, strategic move," Donna Quadri-Felitti, Director And Associate Professor Of Hospitality Management at Penn State, told TravelPulse last year. "From the cost savings to the property there are benefits from cleaning to damage from cigarette burns, etc. It makes sense on the expense side of the equation without a doubt."
"There are a number of hotels that have done this and are moving in that direction."
In addition to expense, a destination is undoubtedly more appealing when the air isn't being overrun with secondhand smoke.
The Czech Republic may be late to the non-smoking party but the change isn't a stunner.
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