From May 2023, smoking a joint in the Red Light District in Amsterdam will be prohibited. A huge intervention on drug policy in the city. The ban is part of a larger plan to reduce the nuisance and crime in the Red Light District. The municipality also wants to improve safety for visitors. Here we discuss the most important aspects of the smoking ban and the underlying aim of the municipality of Amsterdam to improve the neighborhood.

Rookverbod wallen

A smoking ban in the Red Light District

Known for years for drug use and prostitution, the Red Light District has been a popular tourist attraction in Amsterdam. Every year, the area attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. They enjoy visiting the famous coffee shops and soaking up the liberal atmosphere. But according to the City of Amsterdam, this popularity also has a downside: nuisance, crime and a loss of local identity.

Why a neighborhood smoking ban?

The smoking ban in the Red Light District is a necessary step to address these problems, according to the municipality. It would not only reduce the nuisance, but also increase the safety of the neighborhood. The ban would make it easier for the police to crack down on drug nuisances and the sale of illegal drugs. This, in turn, would lead to less crime and a safer feeling for both residents and visitors.

The municipality’s broader plan to improve the neighborhood

The smoking ban in the Red Light District is not an isolated measure by the municipality. It is part of a larger plan to improve the neighborhood and make it more attractive to residents and tourists. The municipality wants to invest in the security and lighting of the neighborhood, as well as install more cameras and deploy additional police.

Impact on the image of Amsterdam

The smoking ban in the Red Light District will not only affect the neighborhood itself, but also the image of Amsterdam as a tourist destination. The city will gradually lose its liberal image. However, the municipality says the measure will have a positive effect on sustainable tourism. It would also protect local culture and identity. They say the ban will make the city more attractive to residents and less attractive to tourists who come solely for drugs and prostitution.

Rookverbod Amsterdam

Expected resistance from Amsterdam residents and tourists

The smoking ban in the Red Light District is bound to meet resistance. In particular, there will be resistance within the cannabis industry. There will also be disappointment among the countless tourists who come to the capital especially for the coffeeshops. People expect that it will affect the coffee shop culture in the Red Light District. They fear the Red Light District will lose its distinct identity.

Get your cannabis at The Border

The smoking ban in the Red Light District is a big change in the policy surrounding drug use in the capital. For tourists who would like to buy a joint, Coffeeshop The Border on the edge of the Amsterdam Forest is a good alternative. Visit Coffeeshop The Border and discover the other side of Amsterdam!