Oktoberfest to overlook smoking ban

MUNICH, Germany German officials have decided Bavaria's newly introduced smoking ban won't apply to this year's celebration of beer.

The smoking ban, which took effect the first of the year, applies to bars, restaurants and discos.

But officials decided it would too hard to enforce in the beer tents that are part of Oktoberfest.

However, Munich officials want organizers to start planning now on how the smoking ban will be implemented for Oktoberfest '09.