Every year, nearly 20,000 people in the Netherlands die from smoking-related diseases like cancer, chronic lung disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease. The government therefore discourages smoking and seeks to protect non-smokers from passive smoking. Smoking is banned in all enclosed public spaces, the hospitality sector and in the workplace. The government has also drawn up rules on electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, because they too are harmful to health.
