{"id":48381,"date":"2021-09-27T13:51:46","date_gmt":"2021-09-27T11:51:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zigarren.zone\/?p=48381"},"modified":"2025-08-09T22:55:39","modified_gmt":"2025-08-09T20:55:39","slug":"netherlands-bans-cigar-lounges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zigarren.zone\/en\/niederlande-verbietet-zigarrenlounges\/","title":{"rendered":"The Netherlands bans cigar lounges: the facts"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to the law, all cigar lounges in the Netherlands are to close on 1 January 2022. Rumours and false reports are circulating on the internet. For example, the topic \u201eStandardised packaging in the Netherlands from 01.01.2022\u201c is one such false report. Here are the facts so far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initial situation: This post on Instagram is sad <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On 25.09.21, a post by Casa Maastricht on Instagram was shocking:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Holland
On 25.09.21 on INSTAGRAM.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Fact 1: Statement from Cubacigar Benelux<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cubacigar Benelux is the official importer of Cuban cigars and cigarillos in the Benelux countries. Here is the statement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201eRegarding plain packaging: This was a government proposal to change the current law, as cigars and cigarillos are excluded from the plain packaging law. But at the moment the law has not yet been changed, so 1 January 2022 will not be possible. But the future for tobacco products in the Netherlands looks bleak (plain packaging), it will probably only be a matter of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the subject of cigar lounges being banned: The new law that comes into force from 1 January 2022 regarding cigar lounges is not directly aimed at the few cigar lounges, but rather at the large commercial buildings that have smoking areas. Unfortunately, cigar lounges are also affected by this change. They will therefore also have to close. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Maastricht, the lounge of La Casa del Habano is subordinate to a so-called horeca lounge and it has been given a control. It has not been permitted to have a smoking lounge in such horeca lounges for a long time, which is why they have already closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an on-trade licence? A Horeca licence is required in Maastricht to serve drinks and snacks. Not all regions in the Netherlands have this requirement. After an inspection by the authorities, they were forced to close the lounge. This is because smoking is not allowed inside with a Horeca licence.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fact 2: La Casa del Habano Maastricht produces explanatory video<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Casa has received a lot of enquiries following their post on INSTA on 25\/09\/21. They are currently producing a video explaining everything. The video will be available on the internet. We will provide the link as soon as the video is online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resources on the topic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n