According to the news agency DPA, it concerns the De Wallen area – the most famous of Amsterdam’s so-called red light districts, where there is extensive brothel activity.
The effort aims to make the city center safer and combat the negative effects of mass tourism. In addition to the smoking ban, restaurants and bars in the area, as well as brothels, must start closing earlier.
Contributes to increased crime
Local residents have complained for years about drunk people, public weed smoking and a violent atmosphere in the area. Hash tourism also attracts drug dealers and contributes to increased crime and insecurity, according to a press release.
The authorities in the city are also said to be considering whether sales of cannabis from so-called coffee shops should be limited to between 4pm and 1am.