DUTCH HAVING A HIGH TIME WITH BASIC BACCY BAN

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -- The Netherlands yesterday banned
tobacco-smoking in bars and restaurants -- but weed-lovers carried on
lighting up pure cannabis joints, pipes and vapourizers.

"No smoking" signs were plainly visible in traditional Dutch cafes
and trendy bars, while coffee-shop owners handed out leaflets
outlining the new rules and suggesting tobacco substitutes, such as a
mix of herbs.

"Many cultures don't smoke cannabis with tobacco. Americans often
smoke with bongs, but the Dutch are used to smoking it with
cigarettes, so it will be more of a hassle for them," said Barbara
Bovenkerk, floor manager at the Green House coffee shop.

"The first few days will be a bit strange, but eventually people will
accept it. A while ago, they banned alcohol in the coffee shops and
everyone complained, but went along with it."

Soft drugs are officially banned in the Netherlands but, under a
policy of tolerance, buyers are allowed to have less than five grams
of cannabis in their possession.

Small quantities are sold in coffee shops, making the usually small,
cosy venues big tourist attractions.

Under the new law, cutting cannabis with tobacco could see
coffee-shop owners fined up to 2,400 euros (slightly less than $4,000).

Some coffee-shop owners were concerned that the tobacco ban would
lead more people to smoke stronger joints and encourage smokers to
move out on to the streets.

"Smoking it [cannabis] pure can knock you out, and maybe make it more
addictive. Smoking culture is also likely to move outside in the
streets and parks," said Pieter van Wallen, manager of the Rokerij coffee shop.