Most Danes Want Smoking Banned in All Bars

Sandra Oparaocha

Writer

December 20, 2025
1:40 pm

A new study shows that most Danes want smoking banned entirely inside all bars and pubs. Cancer researchers and several political parties now call for closing the last loophole in Denmark’s anti-smoking law.

Majority Want the Smoking Exemption Removed

An overwhelming share of Danes want an update to the national smoking law. Since 2007, smoking has been banned in most public indoor areas, but small pubs under 40 square meters have remained exempt. Those small spots have become a stronghold for smokers who consider cigarettes, beer, and conversation a cultural tradition worth keeping alive.

A recent Epinion survey for the Danish Cancer Society shows that 86 percent of Danes prefer bars and pubs where smoking is not allowed. Only about one in ten say they actively seek out smoking venues. Because of those findings, the Cancer Society argues it is time to remove the loophole and protect both patrons and workers from secondhand smoke.

A Split Between Culture and Health

On one side stand smokers and pub owners who believe the atmosphere depends on being allowed to light up indoors. On the other side are health advocates who argue that smoking in enclosed spaces puts others at risk and discourages many from visiting local establishments.

At the small pub Kahytten in Aalborg, for instance, the owner tried to run the business smoke-free during its first weeks. The experiment failed. Customers stayed away, and the bar sat empty most days. Eventually, smoking returned as part of the normal vibe, even though it turns some guests away the moment they step in.

The situation highlights the cultural divide between Denmark’s famous “brown bars,” known for their cozy charm, and growing public-health awareness. The national conversation has increasingly focused on health protection similar to the discussions around Danish healthcare and workplace safety.

Health Concerns Remain Clear

Scientific research shows tobacco use triples the overall risk of developing cancer. Around 14,000 Danes die each year from smoking-related causes, including 3,000 from lung cancer alone. The Danish Health Authority also links smoking to heart attacks, blood clots, and chronic respiratory diseases.

Cancer prevention experts insist that passive smoke exposure is still dangerous. They view the exemption for small bars as a contradiction to national health goals and the country’s larger ambition to create smoke-free environments across the welfare system.

Different Views Among Politicians

The debate has moved to parliament, where parties are far from united. The Socialist People’s Party (SF) and the Social Liberal Party (Radikale Venstre) back a full indoor smoking ban. They argue it is inconsistent that smaller spaces, where smoke concentrations are higher, face fewer regulations than large ones.

Meanwhile, other parties like the Moderates and Liberal Alliance oppose more rules. They say pub owners should decide for themselves whether smoking should be allowed. The Moderates even describe the small pubs as cultural heritage worth defending.

Even so, the political uncertainty means any new legislation may take time. Discussions about job conditions and occupational health are expected to continue, especially for workers exposed to daily smoke.

Balancing Freedom and Public Health

Many Danes associate socializing in smoky, dimly lit bars with nostalgia and community. For them, the smell of tobacco feels tied to local identity rather than public danger. Others think it’s time for Denmark to prioritize clean air for everyone, similar to how the country already ensures high health standards and accessible medical care that many compare within the context of health insurance in Denmark.

As more European countries restrict indoor smoking, pressure grows for Denmark to follow suit. For now, though, the debate continues between those who see smoking bans as an attack on freedom and those who see them as simple common sense.