Alcohol and marijuana bans

People are not allowed to drink alcoholic beverages or smoke marijuana in public areas with an alcohol and marijuana ban.

What are alcohol and marijuana bans?

Alcohol and marijuana bans are a means of tackling alcohol and drug-related incidents. In public areas with an alcohol and marijuana ban people are not allowed to drink alcoholic beverages or smoke marijuana on the street. Nor are people allowed to be in possession of any open bottles, packs or containers of alcoholic beverages or drugs in these locations.

Why have bans been introduced?

Alcohol and drugs frequently play a role when people are causing trouble and in street violence. Alcohol and marijuana bans give the police a better chance of handling situations where people are causing trouble and in which alcohol and drugs are involved. The bans apply to areas where there is a lot of nuisance caused by alcohol and drugs, but also in areas where at the moment no nuisance is being caused. Thus the alcohol and marijuana bans also work in a preventive way; they make sure that the problem is not just transferred elsewhere.

Where do the alcohol bans apply?

The alcohol bans apply for an unlimited period throughout the entire city centre and parts of Escamp, Haagse Hout, Laak, Loosduinen, Scheveningen and Segbroek. Alcohol bans frequently apply in ‘hotspot’ locations. These are sites in the city where there has been a lot of crime and nuisance over a longer period and where the municipality is vigorously cracking down. Sidewalk cafes and hotels, restaurants and bars naturally do not fall under the alcohol ban.

• Public areas where the alcohol ban is in effect
• Public areas where the marijuana smoking ban is in effect
  

What is the punishment?

The fine for contravening the alcohol ban is € 50.

Who designates the areas where there is a ban?

The mayor, in consultation with the police and the judicial authorities, designates the locations where an alcohol and marijuana ban applies in the city. Designation of an area where an alcohol ban applies occurs by virtue of section 76 of the General Police Bylaw (APV) for The Hague 1982.

Are there exceptions?

Section 76a of the APV stipulates that an exemption from the alcohol ban can be applied for, for example in the case of an event by virtue of section 38 of the Licensing and Catering Act.

What is the result?

Up to now the alcohol and marijuana bans have been successful. In the areas where a ban has been in place over a longer period, for example Zuiderpark and the Scheveningen Boulevard, residents and business people are encountering less nuisance from people drinking alcohol.