Dutch party wants smoking ban exceptions

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Members of the Dutch Christian Democratic party are calling for exceptions to the country's ban on smoking in bars, claiming the law hurts business.

Leaders of the party, which is the largest in the Dutch coalition Cabinet, said they are asking Health Minister Ab Klink to lift the smoking ban for small bars near the borders with Germany and Belgium because the establishments are losing business to bars in the other countries that allow smoking inside, Radio Netherlands reported Wednesday.

The branch of the party in Etten-Leur, a municipality near the Belgian border, said they are planning to submit a resolution supported by the Dutch Christian Democrat party executive on the issue Saturday to the party congress.