Reykjavík City has decided to sue the bar Barinn for violating the smoking ban, which took effect last summer, by establishing smoking facilities inside the bar. According to law, smoking is not permitted inside public places, only outside.
Kormákur Geirhardsson, head of the Association of Bar Owners, said they are losing their patience with Reykjavík City. They do not like the terms they have been given and will take their case to the courts if they have to, Fréttabladid reports.
“Why not look at Swedish law? Since when are we more puritanical than the Swedes?” Geirhardsson asked, pointing out that smoking is permitted inside clubs and bars in Sweden provided certain standards are fulfilled.
Geirhardsson added that some club owners have begun permitting their guests to smoke inside in bad weather.
Rósa Magnúsdóttir at Reykjavík City’s environmental department said Barinn is clearly violating the smoking ban. The law states that smoking is only permitted outside. She pointed out that if club owners are dissatisfied with the ban, they have to take their complaints to the legislator.
“We are only doing our job [by enforcing the smoking ban],” Magnúsdóttir said. “We have looked at the options available—suing or sealing the bars—and now we will see whether they will comply with our request.”
