Smoking is prohibited in cafes, restaurants and bars across the Netherlands as of Tuesday.

However, restaurants and cafes are allowed to create separate rooms for smokers where there are no waiters, according to the new rules.

Patrons are still allowed to smoke cannabis, provided it is not mixed with tobacco in the so-called "coffee shops," where small amount of cannabis can be bought and consumed.

Since the beginning of 2004, Dutch employers are obliged to ensure a smoke-free workplace for their employees. But restaurants and pubs took an exception and were permitted to take their own measures.

However, the Dutch Health Ministry concluded that self-regulation did not work well and decided to tighten rules on tobacco use.

Fearing a drop in customers, the Dutch federation of cafe owners will go to court Tuesday in an attempt to repeal the law.

They defended that a distinction should be made between large and small cafes and restaurants as the smaller businesses may not be able to survive after the ban introduction.

(Xinhua News Agency July 2, 2008)