In addition to the smoking ban on the street in Amsterdam, the city council will investigate whether it is also legally feasible to introduce a collection ban for soft drugs. That pick-up ban would then apply from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. from Thursday to Sunday.
“If the nuisance does not decrease sufficiently with the smoking ban, the possibilities of banning smoking on terraces at coffee shops in the area will also be examined.”
The measures are part of the package announced last year to combat the crowds and nuisance in the Red Light District. In addition to the smoking ban, the alcohol sales ban will also be tightened from mid-May. From April 1, the closing times for catering and prostitution will be brought forward.
“Residents of the old city center are structurally and excessively bothered by the crowds and nuisance caused by mass tourism and substance abuse in the public space,” the city reports. Moreover, the presence of tourists would attract street dealers, who in turn would cause crime and insecurity.
