NETHERLANDS
The municipalities of Amsterdam and Utrecht have announced that they will support a lawsuit filed against the tobacco industry brought by Benedicte Ficq, a lawyer acting on behalf of multiple hospitals, lung cancer patients, cancer association KWF, and addiction centers, accusing the four largest tobacco producers in the Netherlands of aggravated assault with death as a result.
“We already do a lot to reduce smoking, and especially keep it out of sight of children,” said a spokesperson for alderman Eric van der Burg.
“For example, smoking is no longer allowed on the ferries across the IJ, on the outdoor areas of pools, and on the ice rink in the Olympic Stadium. We are still talking to Artis and museums to keep smoking out of sight of children there.”
Supporting this lawsuit sends another statement, said the spokesperson.
Shortly thereafter, Utrecht alderman Victor Everhardt announced that Utrecht will also support the lawsuit.