Luxembourg's eagerly awaited ban on smoking in bars and cafés could enter into force on January 1, 2014.

A health committee met on Thursday to discuss the anti-smoking law, a bill on which is expected to be passed before the summer according to Luxembourg health Minister Mars Di Bartolomeo.

If all goes to plan, the general ban would be effective from the following 2014.

Initially, early discussions proposed making exemptions for small venues of 60m2 or less. However, under the final bill it appears there will be no exceptions.

To accommodate the changes, bars and other venues will provide an outdoor smoking area bearing a sign warning of the risks of smoking.

In these areas only smokers aged 18 years old or above will be allowed to smoke. Electronic cigarettes will not be affected by the new law.

Translated from an article by Charline Lebrun