Bavaria plans to relax the regulations on a smoking ban instituted 18 months ago. Legislation is expected to pass hands down by the right-of-center state parliament.

Starting next month, smokers will be allowed to light up in small bars and restaurants that create smoking sections in side rooms. The legislation has been criticized by anti-smoking advocates.

Bavaria’s ruling coalition of Conservatives (CSU) and the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) have a solid 16-seat majority in state parliament, meaning the changes are likely to pass despite one rebel FDP parliamentary who has said he intends to vote against the measure.

While smoking was banned in bars and restaurants in most German states starting January 1, 2008, it has been widely flouted. For example, many bars in Berlin set ashtrays on the tables after dark. And legal exceptions in many states have weakened the smoking ban.

Six months after the ban began, top courts ruled against the restrictions in Berlin and Baden-Württemberg, allowing smoking in bars under 800 square feet where no food is served.

Many German smokers also responded by starting grassroots groups and petitions to roll back the ban.

Süddeutsche Zeitung/The Local/germerica