Czech President Milos Zeman signed an anti-smoking bill into law on Tuesday, which means smoking will be fully banned inside restaurants in the country from the end of May, presidential spokesman Jiri Ovcacek said.

Czech Health Minister Miloslav Ludvik said he is very pleased that the president has expressed concern about the health of the citizens and signed the bill into law.

The anti-smoking bill will take effect from May 31, 2017, which is also World No Tobacco Day. Besides restaurants, the legislation also bans smoking at bus stops and the use of electronic cigarettes in hospitals, schools and in shopping centers.

According to Ludvik, electronic cigarettes would be permitted in cafes, nightclubs and restaurants. Hookahs will be exempted from the ban.

source: Xinhua