Neutrality has had its drawbacks. Staying out of the limelight and going about ones business is not always productive. So the new leadership of Austria is finding out.
Austria is tiring of its reputation as "the ashtray of Europe" -- at least according to the results of a nationwide petition backing a ban on smoking in cafes and restaurants.
All about the EU’s move to stop smoking in public places and a referendum of 14 percent of the Austrian electorate to do away with it.
Even though he was also part of the previous government that backed the law, Chancellor Kurz has maintained a studied silence on the issue.
Strache, who is also vice-chancellor, claims the current setup maintains "freedom of choice" and protects "the interests of non-smokers, smokers and restaurateurs".
However, a growing number of establishments are themselves becoming smoke-free.
The country's Economic Chamber, which represents businesses, says that "not a single establishment set up this year has set aside a smoking area".
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