Spain's strict new anti-smoking rules take effect

Anti-smoking rules introduced in 2006 let bars choose whether to ban smoking

 

A tough anti-smoking law has taken effect in Spain. The ban - one of the strictest in Europe - outlaws smoking in all bars and restaurants. Smokers will also be prohibited on television broadcasts, near hospitals or in school playgrounds. The law tightens anti-smoking restrictions introduced in 2006.

 

Spain has a strong cafe culture and the owners of bars and cafes have complained the law will hurt business. The anti-smoking rules introduced in 2006 outlawed smoking in the workplace, but it let bar and restaurant owners choose whether or not to allow it. Most chose not to impose any ban.

 

Only large restaurants and bars were obliged to provide a smoke-free area. Hotel, restaurant and bar owners have said they could face a 10% drop in trade with the new rules. The industry has already seen a sharp fall in sales due to Spain's economic problems.

 

But doctors argue the new legislation will help smokers give up. Some 160 Spaniards a day die from smoking-related illnesses, four of them from passive smoking.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12104056

BBC News website readers in Spain have been sending in their comments

 

I'm Spanish and I'm a smoker, but I agree with some of these rules. I understand that it is quite annoying for a non-smoker to be in a pub or in a restaurant and find it difficult to breathe. Personally, I don't mind having to smoke outside a pub or a bar, basically because in countries such as England, Ireland and France people have been doing it for years and citizens have accepted it. It's me who decides to smoke and I have to go through some collateral damage if I want to respect non-smokers' right to breathe. But one rule that I find amusing is the prohibition of smoking in playgrounds (I have no objections as for hospitals). In theory, that would be OK if it weren't for the fact that adults who won't smoke in the playground so as not to damage their children, will do it at home, and who will supervise that? Veronica, Valencia

 

I'm delighted. Spain has an strong cafe culture, that's exactly why I'm expecting to be able to enjoy it from now on. Carmelo, Bilbao

 

This is only another page of liberties harassment, I don't see the problem if smokers are kept together standing and smoking in a cubicle at the airport. Our freedom is being battered, democracy is the government of majorities but it should also respect the minorities. Berto, Las Palmas

 

I am a Spaniard and I am currently in Spain. I am looking forward to this restriction taking effect. I do understand that people are free to choose whether to smoke or not... but, up to now smokers have enjoyed more freedom than non-smokers. Smokers benefit from public areas more than non-smokers, even when the highest percentage of the population are non-smokers. I have nothing to say if people want to smoke in their private places, in their home or car... I think it was Rousseau who said that your freedom in the community ends where my freedom begins. Inma, Sevilla

 

People in high places again making unpopular decisions. What gets me is this, they show us statistics but never proof, they tell us a ban such as this is to help people give up smoking but the sale of tobacco in the places where its use is banned goes on, just more control. In this town, like many, thousands of lorries pass through narrow streets and we all have to suffer the fumes. We all have a duty not to smoke near children that is logic more than law... But... going for a smoke. Tomas, Ermua, Basque Country

 

I am a passive smoker and I think it is a good law. The problem is the little bars and cafes. I don't like to eat in restaurants with a smoker near to me. In Europe people smoke in the street. I think smokers in Spain can smoke in the street. If they give up smoking, it will be better for them and Spanish society. Manuel, Figueres

 

I'm Spanish and I'm so happy for the new anti-smoking rules. Now it will be possible to enter any restaurant or bar without having to smell cigarettes all around. This is really good news. Since smoking was prohibited in some establishments in 2006 we have seen that in those restaurants where you can choose smoking or non-smoking area, the one which is always full of people is the non-smoking, that's the reason why I think that restaurants are not going to lose customers, people will just get used to it. Pilar, Lleida

I'm sure Daryl smokes? Well he did....

the problem will be the same, well this time with more rage and anger from some smokers.

we had a law in 1997 where is was forbidden to smoke in schools and public places already but as ALWAYS here nobody cared it was not effective.

 

personally in my high school we only had that old law applied once two of my teachers quitted smoking and they turned in awful haters towards any smoker so they forced them to follow the law from one day to the next.

which was not fair. and back then i was the only non smoker in my class who supported smokers, simply cause i found the non smokers reaction unfair.

 

i find it really hypocrite from the government: that's one of the products that is charged with more taxes and which is keeping the country having money in.

if really tobacco is that bad they shouldn't allow it to be produced and sell to public and more less to help the producers economically, althought is said some areas of the country just live of producing tobacco i guess cause no other product can be produced there(?)

what kills is the crap they add to it to keep smokers smoking, goverment instead of forbid those additives and help with good programmes for smokers to quit it, they restrict them more and more.

also is really hypocrite that yet young tv programmes show people smoking... then the chain won't be cut for next generation even with those strict rules, if a teenager see this or that cool actor or actress smoking, they'll do it to be as cool.

 

another funny thing of this new law is that people in prision, retirement houses, pshychiatric, bullrings and stadiums will be allowed to smoke.

 

i wonder if they will plan to chase the pot smokers next, which seems not likely.

Not very strict compared to here :laugh3: I think maybe Denmark

what's it like in Denmark?

what's it like in Denmark?

 

Cold?:rolleyes:

Spanish people not being allowed to smoke in Bars or Cafes?, I wonder how quickly this Law will be ignored, I don't smoke, I never have and never will but I disagree with it being outlawed in these places they should have seperate areas but that's all.

Spanish people not being allowed to smoke in Bars or Cafes?, I wonder how quickly this Law will be ignored, I don't smoke, I never have and never will but I disagree with it being outlawed in these places they should have seperate areas but that's all.

and we do have.

 

2 years ago they made a law, where bars and cafes of some small measures should not allow smoking unless they have some machines to get the smoke 'fog' off the room.

 

many small bars and cafe did the investement in those machines, for nothing now as those are not permited even when those investement cost around 12000 to 30000€ in some cases.

How exactly is this any more strict then the law here?

How exactly is this any more strict then the law here?

i don't exactly know as i don't know brisith law for it.

 

but apparently smokers will only be allowed to smoke in their houses and that's it, no public space or kid area will be allowed places to smoke.

 

and i guess tobacco cost will raise even more, instead of starting a real national plan to help smokers to quit smoking.

How exactly is this any more strict then the law here?

 

Whereas the law in England only covers enclosed spaces, the law in Spain bans smoking near hospitals & in school playgrounds.

 

I only hope they don't go sign mad and put "no smoking" signs up everywhere.

That seems very unfair to the Bar owners to me, I bet the Government isn't offering any compensation to them?.Do you think that people will accept the ban there?, because it has always seemed to me that smoking is very set into the culture at bars and cafes there and I can see alot of people being angry about it.

Whereas the law in England only covers enclosed spaces, the law in Spain bans smoking near hospitals & in school playgrounds.

 

I only hope they don't go sign mad and put "no smoking" signs up everywhere.

that will depend on how pharaonic the president feels, with the works on road and improvement on cities we had had huge signs saying 'is a work done by the goverment' even if the work to do was small and short, the sings were 'compulsory' to have :dozey:

 

but i doubt we'll have many new signs, dunno.

 

That seems very unfair to the Bar owners to me, I bet the Government isn't offering any compensation to them?.Do you think that people will accept the ban there?, because it has always seemed to me that smoking is very set into the culture at bars and cafes there and I can see alot of people being angry about it.

no compensation.

 

i think people won't accept it but i don't think it'll cause riots, just some anger that in some people may turn to cause to protest more vividly about their poor economical situation, but that's it.

 

imagine family events now, weddings, baptism and so on where traditionally a cigar was offered for the males... now that's impossible unless one breaks the law.

It's a bit like the "don't use your mobile-phone when driving" laws, give it a couple months and you will have people ignoring it. There are some pubs now which still allow you to smoke inside if you know where to stand

that will depend on how pharaonic the president feels, with the works on road and improvement on cities we had had huge signs saying 'is a work done by the goverment' even if the work to do was small and short, the sings were 'compulsory' to have :dozey:

 

but i doubt we'll have many new signs, dunno.

 

 

no compensation.

 

i think people won't accept it but i don't think it'll cause riots, just some anger that in some people may turn to cause to protest more vividly about their poor economical situation, but that's it.

 

imagine family events now, weddings, baptism and so on where traditionally a cigar was offered for the males... now that's impossible unless one breaks the law.

 

I hope that it does get repealed, by the way where abouts in the Country are you from?,I've been to Barcalona and loved it:).

I hope that it does get repealed, by the way where abouts in the Country are you from?,I've been to Barcalona and loved it:).

we'll see, so far my dad -smoker- told me tobacco is 0.10 cents cheaper today :uhoh:

 

i live in the south-west. Yeah Barcelona is pretty nice city, i've been there once for a weekend to see Coldplay in 2009. :) when i lived in Portugal everybody asked me if i was from there, hehe.

Not to fight between cities but i've been in Madrid more times, as is closer to my city.

@Ian

 

I think it's pretty much the same as this one; no smoking in public places.

since the new law is working (3 days)

* there's already a person injured when trying to stop a fight between smoker.

* two cafés are allowing smoking and are getting signatures to make an official complain to the law.

* some cafés are putting heaters in their open terrase as in those areas is allowed to smoke :|

i wish if anything they made this law for the summer.

Bars in Barcelona are mostly in residential areas, and after midnight the neighbours can make complaints about noise. So bars can end up getting a fine if they complain about their customers once they had a few, as people get loud once they had a few drinks.

 

I am missing my smoke with my café con leches. Its not so bad when I go for a drink, we will have an election in Spain very soon, and hopefully someone will promise to reverse this law, well at least for Bars.

 

School playgrounds I tottaly agree. I smoke, however when I was a kid I thought it was disgusting that the teachers smoked in the playground.

A very similar law was passed in Michigan last year. Owners of bars/pubs and certain restaurants were freaking out, similar to this story. But you know what? All of them are in the same boat, so it's not like they are losing the smokers' business to other restaurants/bars. Most places have actually seen more business since the law has been implemented, because many non-smokers would completely avoid those places in the past.

i wish if anything they made this law for the summer.

Bars in Barcelona are mostly in residential areas, and after midnight the neighbours can make complaints about noise. So bars can end up getting a fine if they complain about their customers once they had a few, as people get loud once they had a few drinks.

 

I am missing my smoke with my café con leches. Its not so bad when I go for a drink, we will have an election in Spain very soon, and hopefully someone will promise to reverse this law, well at least for Bars.

 

School playgrounds I tottaly agree. I smoke, however when I was a kid I thought it was disgusting that the teachers smoked in the playground.

i don't think any party will say to revise the law, and even if they do i doubt they'll indeed revise it.

anyways really would you vote for a party just for this?

 

A very similar law was passed in Michigan last year. Owners of bars/pubs and certain restaurants were freaking out, similar to this story. But you know what? All of them are in the same boat, so it's not like they are losing the smokers' business to other restaurants/bars. Most places have actually seen more business since the law has been implemented, because many non-smokers would completely avoid those places in the past.

problem is as the economy structure of this country, there are a lot of bars and cafés, familiar business, placed in normal areas, and so already the rate of unemployement is high in those sector which receive few helps from government (for the 2006 they had to adapt investing around 12000 or 30000€ with no help but their own earning or getting it from the bank) and yet produce good profit (service sector in general).

we are suffering a raise of electricity cost and other services and general taxes, that probably will cause to many of those business to lose more employees or shut business.

 

 

we will see what may happen, my dad so far says that law might be proven wrong before 15th jan. :shrug:

what happens on Jan 15th

what happens on Jan 15th

that the new law will be causing more trouble than solution to the problem.

 

what is truth is for me the government is the one to blame -present, past and probably future-, they should simply ban producing and selling tobacco, or at least not allow they add the additives that make it so dangerous, or not charge it with so many high taxes.

 

is hypocrital they claim the law is for social health but they benefit from a product as dangerous as that one is.

Wow last update:

more fights, nose broken and so.... some restaurants got shot after denying to accept the law and have to pay a fine of 145000€, (and one of those menaced to be there with a gun ready to shot any who will try to force him to close) anyways he stepped back and have to fire his 16 workers -yay more unemployed! that's good for a country prosperity.

 

well now someone attending a theatre musical play, Hair, sued the company cause they smoke in a closed venue.

well the director says they don't smoke tobaco so then there's no law infringement, as apparently the law is for smoking tobaco only!.

 

so funny thing now is that minister doesn't voice what to do... but now everybody knows the actors of the musical play smoke other 'higher' things as basil and lemongrass in a closed venue... i wonder if that is healthier than smoking tobacco for the show audience.

 

:wtf: