A narrow majority of MPs will on Tuesday vote in favour of a motion calling for the ban on smoking to be extended across all the country’s cafes and bars, the AD reports.

The fundamentalist Christian party SGP has now thrown its weight behind demands for a total ban. The VVD Liberals, 50Plus and anti-immigration PVV are opposed.

SGP leader Kees van der Staaij told the AD he had had doubts but ‘we have now decided a totally smoke-free hospitality industry sends out a clear message.’

Widespread

Research indicates the owners of around half the country’s bars and cafes still allow smoking.

The smoking ban was imposed across all bars, cafes, restaurants and clubs in 2008. But in 2010, health minister Edith Schippers agreed to allow smoking in cafes smaller than 70 m2 if they did not employ any staff.

If MPs vote in favour of a total ban, it will be up to the government to decide what, if any, action to take.