November 23, 2018 · Team HG
KOn Friday, November 23, HN signed the National Prevention Agreement. This agreement outlines measures that a large number of parties will take to make the Netherlands healthier. The joint ambition is to ensure that by 2040 fewer people smoke, problematic alcohol use is reduced, and there are fewer people who are overweight.
The most important gain for the hospitality industry is that we have reached an agreement with State Secretary Blokhuis of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport that smoking rooms will not be banned until July 1, 2022. This gives hospitality entrepreneurs more time to phase out their smoking rooms.
The National Prevention Agreement includes more measures that are important for the hospitality industry. For instance, we must do our utmost to ensure that compliance with the age limit of 18 for serving alcohol is 100% by 2030. And we will encourage hospitality entrepreneurs to also offer smaller portions. This not only means more choices for guests with different needs, but it also contributes to reducing food waste.
Robèr Willemsen, Chairman of KHN: “We have consulted with a large number of parties over the past few months. As a result, we have reached a compromise on some points. On behalf of KHN, we participated in discussions regarding problematic alcohol use and obesity. And we spoke separately with the State Secretary about smoking rooms. Those conversations were not always easy. KHN’s approach was to only agree to measures that are workable for hospitality entrepreneurs.”
We are precisely not in favor of imposing obligations. What we can do, however, is inspire and encourage entrepreneurs to make their offerings healthier. After all, when people go out to eat, they like to have a glass of wine and a dessert. And we believe that should be possible. But it is good that hospitality entrepreneurs also put healthier alternatives on the menu.
All in all, I believe we have reached a good set of agreements. Now we all need to get to work on them. I therefore call upon all hospitality entrepreneurs to participate and commit to a healthier Netherlands in 2040. After all, it is also important for our industry that people are healthy and vital.
In discussions with the State Secretary, KHN strongly advocated for the ban on smoking rooms to take effect later than the two years State Secretary Blokhuis had suggested earlier this year. Robèr Willemsen: “As far as we are concerned, those two years were really too short. Hospitality entrepreneurs have invested a lot of money in smoking rooms over the past few years and therefore need extra time to recoup that investment. In addition, I am pleased that we succeeded in convincing the Cabinet that, as of July 1, 2022, the ban on smoking rooms also applies to the (semi-)public sector and public buildings.”
Regarding alcohol consumption, we in the hospitality industry have long been committed to improving compliance with the age limit. We believe it is good that young people under 18 do not drink. Currently, compliance stands at 26.6% in the hospitality sector, and the aim is to reach 100% by 2030. Rober: “We realize that this is a bold ambition, but we are going to commit 100% to it!”
The ministry will make an effort to criminalize the ‘reseller’. We are pleased with this, as we – together with other parties – have been urging this for some time.
Currently, 48% of adult Dutch people are overweight, and this percentage is expected to rise further. To combat this, various measures have been agreed upon in the National Prevention Agreement. One of the actions KHN has committed to is encouraging hospitality entrepreneurs to include smaller or different portion sizes on their menus, so that guests are less likely to overeat. “‘Our guests’ needs vary; why shouldn’t we cater to that where possible?’” says Willemsen.
In the coming period, KHN will get to work encouraging and inspiring hospitality entrepreneurs to take action on the steps from the National Prevention Agreement that are relevant to the hospitality industry. These actions are listed on this infographic. The government will monitor the progress of the agreed actions in the coming period. The RIVM will report on this annually.
Download the infographic with the key actions.
Source: KHN.nl
