Amsterdam will ban smoking cannabis in public in the city’s red light district to reduce the “enormous nuisance” affecting residents.

The local council said rules will be tightened around the sale of alcohol and the closing time of bars and brothels in the city centre will be brought forward in measures that will come into effect from mid-May.

It was also considering a ban on smoking cannabis outside coffee shops.

Restaurants and bars will have to close at 2am and brothels at 3am. Venues serving alcohol will not be allowed to permit new customers from 1am.

The sale of alcohol in the red light district is already prohibited from 4pm between Thursday and Sunday.

No new visitors will be allowed into the old town after 1am.

Locals regularly complain about the impact of tourists who visit the city’s party scene and, according to the council, drink alcohol and take drugs in the streets – attracting drug dealers.

‘At night the atmosphere can get grim’

“Residents of the old town suffer a lot from mass tourism and alcohol and drug abuse in the streets,” the council said.

“Tourists also attract street dealers who in turn cause crime and insecurity.

“Especially at night the atmosphere can get grim.

“People who are under the influence hang around for a long time. Residents cannot sleep well and the neighbourhood becomes unsafe and unlivable.”

The majority of the city council backs the new measures, Dutch media reported, which will enter a month-long consultation period.

‘Glassy-eyed tourist zombies’

From spring officials will launch a “stay away” campaign aimed at discouraging tourists planning to take a “holiday from their morals”, according to local media.

“We have been proposing to ban smoking cannabis in public spaces for years,” Diederik Boomsma, leader of the local Christian Democrats, told Dutch News.

“Some days you can’t even walk around the centre without breathing in the persistent stench of cannabis fumes, with glassy-eyed tourist zombies staggering about. That has to stop.”

Related posts:

US report expected to blame Saudi crown prince for Jamal Khashoggi’s murder German man charged with spying after ‘passing parliament floor plans to Russia’ Thousands march in Sydney against latest lockdown restrictions amid COVID surge Eastern European countries battle vaccine hesitancy as COVID strengthens its grip Children among at least 45 dead in Bulgaria bus fire Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich trying to find ‘peaceful resolution’ to Ukraine invasion, spokesman says ‘No regrets and I’d do it again’: Ukrainian sailor tries to sink Russian boss’s £5m yacht Ukrainian president signs application to join European Union Russian attacks on Ukraine intensify despite pledge from Moscow to pull back troops Fourteen children injured and their teacher killed in Berlin car crash Blistering heat scorches Europe as wildfire injures 29 in Portugal Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan disqualified from holding office