Bar owners to photograph smoking inspectors

21 November 2008

TILBURG – Cafe and bar owners in the Dutch town of Tilburg have announced plans to photograph smoking inspectors and post the photographs on the internet.
They say the move is not intended to pillory the inspectors but to let other cafe owners know who they are. The proprietors are members of an action group protesting against the smoking ban, which was introduced on1 July 2008.  

Around 1,400 owners of small bars or cafés from 32 towns and cities have joined the group over the last few months.

The Data Protection Authority says it is illegal to publish the photographs on the internet while the lower house of parliament has expressed its dismay at the move. The Labour Party says the owners’ proposal to post photographs on the internet is unacceptable, intimidating and a violation of privacy.

[Radio Netherlands / Expatica]