POT'S IN, TOBACCO'S OUT IN THE NETHERLANDS BAN

AMSTERDAM - Starting July 1, marijuana will be the only leaf that can
be smoked in public places in the Netherlands. Cannabis devotees
aren't celebrating.

Local pot smokers, who usually cut joints with tobacco, and owners of
the coffee shops where they are allowed to light up will have to
change their habits when the nation implements the indoor tobacco ban.

Puffing a pure marijuana cigarette in public will still be permitted;
smoking one with tobacco will merit coffee shop owners a $466 fine.

"Every customer will have to learn how to smoke pure," said Robert
Kempen, co-owner of The NooN and Mellow Yellow in Amsterdam, which
sells marijuana and hashish. The rule makes him "sick to death," he
said, rolling himself a joint.