Smoking ban would cripple us, Croatian bar owners warn

Zagreb, 22 February 2025 – Since the start of this year, Croatian authorities have carried out 389 inspections in hospitality venues, uncovering 181 legal violations.

The most common issue? Smoking on enclosed terraces. Businesses caught breaking the rules face hefty fines of up to €19,908, putting extra pressure on an industry already struggling to stay afloat.

Inspections have ramped up over the past two months, leaving many in the sector scratching their heads.

Željko Pojer, president of the Požega Craftsmen’s Association and a nightclub owner, told HRT: “The nightlife in Croatia has been dying for a while. A total smoking ban would bring hospitality to its knees.”

He pointed out that current laws already allow smaller venues (under 50 square metres) to designate themselves as smoking areas, while larger ones can set up ventilated smoking zones. “This law’s been in place for ages,” he said. “So why all these checks now, and why such steep fines?”

Pojer’s frustration echoes a broader concern. “Hospitality is on its last legs,” he warned. “If a full ban comes in, most of us will have to shut down and let our staff go.”

Lessons from Austria and Slovenia

Across the border, Austria and Slovenia have already gone further with strict no-smoking laws in all indoor public spaces – including bars, nightclubs, and even casinos.

Snježana Herek, a correspondent for Večernji List, explained how Austria adapted: “It happened pretty quickly. Austrians are known for sticking to rules, but inspectors still dished out fines at the start to enforce it.

”For customers, a first offence means a €100 fine; repeat offenders face €1,000. Venue owners aren’t spared either – they’re hit with €2,000, rising to €20,000 for further breaches.

“There’s no smoking anywhere – not in clubs, bars, or casinos,” Herek added. “The law bans all tobacco products, full stop.” While Austria’s health ministry hasn’t released detailed figures, they claim the number of traditional smokers has dropped since the 2019 ban. However, e-cigarette use is on the rise.

In Slovenia, Jesenice restaurateur Mladen Strniša shared a similar story for HRT. “Adaptation wasn’t easy, but we managed,” he said. “Customers adjusted, though some grumbled at first.”

Back in Croatia, the debate is heating up. Pojer argues that the industry’s survival hinges on flexibility, not stricter rules. “When we brought in our smoking ban years ago, everyone saw it wouldn’t work,” he said. “Businesses collapsed. That’s why we got these exceptions for smoking areas.”

Last year, the European Commission floated the idea of banning smoking in outdoor spaces too, but hospitality and hotel sectors pushed back hard, and the proposal fizzled out.

For now, Croatia’s enclosed terraces remain a battleground – and with €19,908 fines looming, venue owners are feeling the heat.

As inspections continue, the question lingers: will tougher laws stub out smoking, or will they snuff out Croatia’s nightlife instead? For many in the industry, the answer’s already clear.