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Red light district in Amsterdam
Photo: entrechat / Getty Images
From mid-May onwards, it will no longer be possible to smoke a joint on the street in the old town of Amsterdam.
The smoking ban is a measure against the major problems caused by mass tourism, as the Dutch capital announced on Thursday.
In the famous red-light district, the »Wallen«, restaurants have to close earlier and prostitutes have to stop earlier.
The district should become safer and more liveable for the residents, the city said.
»The atmosphere can get very grim, especially at night.«
For years, residents have been complaining about the consequences of mass tourism, such as people drinking, bawling and smoking weed on the streets.
Tourists also attract street dealers, the city said, which in turn fuels crime and creates an unsafe atmosphere.
A big attraction of Amsterdam are the so-called coffee shops.
Tourists can also buy small amounts of hashish and marijuana there.
So far, the drugs can also be smoked in public.
The authorities are also examining whether sales in the coffee shops can be restricted between 4 p.m. and 1 a.m.
The new rules are part of a package of measures to combat problems caused by mass tourism.
Pubs are not allowed to admit new customers after 1 a.m.
It ends at 2 a.m., so far it was one to two hours longer.
The prostitutes have to close the famous windows by 3 a.m. at the latest instead of the previous 6 a.m.
kfr/dpa