Austria bans smoking in cafes, restaurants

After years of public debate, Austria's government decided on Friday to ban smoking in cafes and restaurants in 2018.

The Chamber of Commerce said it was looking at taking legal steps against the ban in a country famed for its cafe culture and where smoking is above European averages. France, Britain, Italy and some German provinces have introduced similar bans.

Cafe owners who go completely smoke-free by July 2016 will get a special one-time bonus to offset costs. Six years ago, eateries were required to seal off nonsmoking areas.