Despite previous warnings several bars have continued to flaunt no-smoking legislation, resulting in their being reported to the police

As the result of checking 55,000 businesses to see if the smoking ban is being upheld, 861 were given warnings by the Working Environment Authority for violating the law, reports public broadcaster DR.

Of those, 232 were bars, 23 of which have been reported to police for not following the warning they had previously been given. The 23 bars were the only businesses reported to police as a result of the check.

‘We’ve sent 23 cases on to the police - all of which are from the drinking milieu - and that’s a big problem with regard to the smoking ban,’ said the authority’s Tanja Krabbe.

Those bars can expect a hefty fine, while continued violations would result in their closure by the authority.

Smoking is still allowed in bars smaller than 40 square metres that do not serve food.