Spain bans smoking in bars,restaurants
MADRID, SPAIN (TOE) -- Spain has introduced a tough new anti-smoking law that prohibits lighting up in bars and restaurants as well as outside hospitals, schools and at children's playgrounds.
Spain has become the latest Western European country to ban smoking inside bars and restaurants.
The law, which went into effect Jan. 2, is opposed by the country's hotel and restaurant federation, which estimates a 10-percent drop in hospitality business and more job losses at a time when Spain's economy is already suffering.
Britain, Ireland, France and Italy passed similar laws several years ago. Supporters of indoor smoking bans say they do not end up hurting business.
Those caught smoking indoors or even in some open spaces like playgrounds will now have to pay a 30 euro ($40) fine and as much as 100,000 euros ($134,000) after being caught three times. Restaurant and bar owners failing to impose the new law will pay between 60 euros ($80) and 100,000 euros for each violation.
The new legislation bans smoking from playgrounds and outside schools and hospitals. It also makes it illegal to smoke at airports, nightclubs and casinos.
Hotels are still allowed to reserve 30 percent of their rooms for smokers.
About 30 percent of Spain's population smokes cigarettes.
Many Spaniards are happy about the change, given the country's reputation for smoke-filled tapas bars.
Bar and restaurant owners, who are against the law, claim that sales will drop and jobs will go as a result of the new law, however health workers welcome the legislation saying it will help people quit and reduce the high rate of annual cigarette-related deaths.
Spain has become the latest Western European country to ban smoking inside bars and restaurants.
The law, which went into effect Jan. 2, is opposed by the country's hotel and restaurant federation, which estimates a 10-percent drop in hospitality business and more job losses at a time when Spain's economy is already suffering.
Britain, Ireland, France and Italy passed similar laws several years ago. Supporters of indoor smoking bans say they do not end up hurting business.
Those caught smoking indoors or even in some open spaces like playgrounds will now have to pay a 30 euro ($40) fine and as much as 100,000 euros ($134,000) after being caught three times. Restaurant and bar owners failing to impose the new law will pay between 60 euros ($80) and 100,000 euros for each violation.
The new legislation bans smoking from playgrounds and outside schools and hospitals. It also makes it illegal to smoke at airports, nightclubs and casinos.
Hotels are still allowed to reserve 30 percent of their rooms for smokers.
Many Spaniards are happy about the change, given the country's reputation for smoke-filled tapas bars.
Bar and restaurant owners, who are against the law, claim that sales will drop and jobs will go as a result of the new law, however health workers welcome the legislation saying it will help people quit and reduce the high rate of annual cigarette-related deaths.
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