Amsterdam’s city council announced that it will ban the smoking of cannabis in its famous Red Light District (Wallen) area, turning it into a smoke-free zone from May.
Nightlife and canals in Amsterdam
The city council hopes that this restriction will reign in the use of cannabis and smoking in the city’s Wallen district. It also added that it might consider extending the ban to outdoor seating areas of cannabis shops if necessary.
This policy forms part of the city’s effort to foster a more peaceful and comfortable environment for residents, who have been expressing their grievances about the busiest parts of the city becoming unlivable due to the high volumes of tourists.
The number of tourists who flock to the city is 18 million annually.
Amendments included under the council’s new package of rules mean that sex workers must cease operations by 3 am instead of 6 am, bars and cafes will have to close at 2 am on weekdays and 4 am on Fridays and Saturdays, with no new customers allowed after 1 am.
Shops within the inner city will also not be allowed to sell alcohol after 4 pm from Thursday to Sunday, with the ban on drinking in public spaces to be strictly implemented. The new measure has been presented to residents, businesses and stakeholders, who have four weeks to respond.
These new measures aim to reduce overcrowding problems in Amsterdam’s popular tourist districts.
Picture: Getty Images
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