The Bavarian government announced that it will hold a referendum on smoking in cafés and beer halls on 4 July 2010.

Bavaria's strict smoking ban was loosened again in August 2009, following fierce protests and the set-up of members-only smoking clubs, which could legally defy the law. Smoking in small cafés and pubs has been allowed since, but a campaign for a complete smoking ban was then initiated by several opposition parties. The campaign called for a petition for a referendum and successfully collected the necessary amounts of signatures between 19 November and 2 December 2009. Following this petition the Bavarian government had the choice to adopt the draft bill or to hold a referendum. The decision in favour of a referendum was taken yesterday at the first reading in the Landtag.
Local media reported that the Bavarian government would allow smoking during this year’s Oktoberfest, which is held annually at the end of September, regardless of the outcome of the vote.
Bavaria is the first federal state of Germany to hold a referendum on the issue. More than nine million voters in the southern German state will be allowed to cast their votes. The date of the referendum has yet to be approved. (pi)