Amsterdam post smoking ban?

Question

Has anyone been to Amsterdam before and since the smoking ban came in on july 1st 2008? How has it affected the coffee shops and general atmosphere compared to before? I was there for a third time for a few days in june and it was amazing as usual but the smoking ban has made me think twice about wanting to go back!

Answer 1

I was just there. The tobacco ban is kind of a nuisance, but the coffee shops just ask that if you're smoking a joint with tobacco in it, that you do it outside instead of inside. If it's a pure marijuana joint, then you can smoke it inside. Kind of bizarre but not terribly bothersome (possibly because it's summer)

Answer 2

I have been in Amsterdam many times before and some times after the ban has come to cover the hospitality sector too.

For me it has improved the town. You can now eat and not worry about a cigarette being lighted under your noose while you are still eating.

As I do not smoke nor use drugs in any way, I can not tell you what impact that has on the coffee shops.

But if Amsterdam is nothing for you but smoking dope, or not enough outside that, why bother coming.

You can find drugs in any country, why spend all the money coming to Amsterdam just for that.

The town is still worth a visit, you might need to do some research about what you want to do.