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Smokers in England who are cast on to the pavements on July 1 when the tobacco ban comes into effect will at least be able to puff away with im- punity on holiday in Spain.
Amid much fanfare, Spain introduced a smoking ban on New Year’s Day 2006 — an ambitious measure in a country where 50 per cent of people believe that smoking is an in- alienable right. It has one of the highest rates of smoking in Western Europe.
Almost as soon as the seasonal hangovers abated, however, it became clear that the new law did not mean a big change for smokers.
Restaurants have had to introduce non-smoking sections, but many are not properly segregated. Small bars — there are a huge number in towns and cities — merely had to indicate whether they allowed smoking or not on the door. Almost all Spanish bars, most of which serve food, opted to keep the smoggy status quo. According to a study published this week by the Spanish Consumers’ Organisation, only 10 per cent of small bars and 15 per cent of small restaurants have banned smoking.
<!--#include file="m63-article-related-attachements.html"-->The study also found that 85 per cent of larger premises flouted rules obliging them to limit smokers to 30 per cent of available space. The authors noted that smoking was still permitted in many hospital cafeterias.
“It has made some difference in restaurants, but in bars things are exactly the same,” said Leticia Saharrea, who lives in Madrid. “The law is a bit ridiculous.”
Spanish doctors and anti-smoking campaigners are calling for the Government to ban smoking in all enclosed public spaces without exception. But restaurant and bar keepers have vowed to resist such a move. “There isn’t the most minimal conflict between smokers and non-smokers,” said José Luis Guerra, president of the Spanish Hotel and Restaurant Federation. He said an outright ban would be a “drastic move” that would cause “great harm” to his industry.
Since Christopher Columbus brought tobacco back to Spain from the Americas, Spaniards have been among the world’s most enthusiastic smokers.
According to the World Health Organisation, nearly a third of adult Spaniards smoke, compared with 26 per cent in Britain or Ireland. In Sweden, the proportion of smokers has shrunk to 18 per cent. About 50,000 Spaniards a year die as a result of the habit, and 1,500 non-smokers are also thought to die of passive smoking.
“There is still a great tolerance of smokers in Spain,” said Victoria Prego, a columnist for El Mundo newspaper and a non-smoker. “I’ve never seen anyone ask someone to stub out their cigarette.”
Six million British tourists visit Spain each year seeking sun, sea and sangría. Nicotine addicts may soon be adding smoking to the list.
COUNTRY LAWS
Total ban: Ireland, Italy, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, Wales
On its way: England, Finland, France
Banned, excl. pubs and restaurants: Austria, Latvia, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain
Restrictions: Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland
Source: Times archive
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/specials_/smoking_ban/article1842713.ece
Smokers in England who are cast on to the pavements on July 1 when the tobacco ban comes into effect will at least be able to puff away with im- punity on holiday in Spain.
Amid much fanfare, Spain introduced a smoking ban on New Year’s Day 2006 — an ambitious measure in a country where 50 per cent of people believe that smoking is an in- alienable right. It has one of the highest rates of smoking in Western Europe.
Almost as soon as the seasonal hangovers abated, however, it became clear that the new law did not mean a big change for smokers.
Restaurants have had to introduce non-smoking sections, but many are not properly segregated. Small bars — there are a huge number in towns and cities — merely had to indicate whether they allowed smoking or not on the door. Almost all Spanish bars, most of which serve food, opted to keep the smoggy status quo. According to a study published this week by the Spanish Consumers’ Organisation, only 10 per cent of small bars and 15 per cent of small restaurants have banned smoking.
<!--#include file="m63-article-related-attachements.html"-->The study also found that 85 per cent of larger premises flouted rules obliging them to limit smokers to 30 per cent of available space. The authors noted that smoking was still permitted in many hospital cafeterias.
“It has made some difference in restaurants, but in bars things are exactly the same,” said Leticia Saharrea, who lives in Madrid. “The law is a bit ridiculous.”
Spanish doctors and anti-smoking campaigners are calling for the Government to ban smoking in all enclosed public spaces without exception. But restaurant and bar keepers have vowed to resist such a move. “There isn’t the most minimal conflict between smokers and non-smokers,” said José Luis Guerra, president of the Spanish Hotel and Restaurant Federation. He said an outright ban would be a “drastic move” that would cause “great harm” to his industry.
Since Christopher Columbus brought tobacco back to Spain from the Americas, Spaniards have been among the world’s most enthusiastic smokers.
According to the World Health Organisation, nearly a third of adult Spaniards smoke, compared with 26 per cent in Britain or Ireland. In Sweden, the proportion of smokers has shrunk to 18 per cent. About 50,000 Spaniards a year die as a result of the habit, and 1,500 non-smokers are also thought to die of passive smoking.
“There is still a great tolerance of smokers in Spain,” said Victoria Prego, a columnist for El Mundo newspaper and a non-smoker. “I’ve never seen anyone ask someone to stub out their cigarette.”
Six million British tourists visit Spain each year seeking sun, sea and sangría. Nicotine addicts may soon be adding smoking to the list.
COUNTRY LAWS
Total ban: Ireland, Italy, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, Wales
On its way: England, Finland, France
Banned, excl. pubs and restaurants: Austria, Latvia, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain
Restrictions: Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland
Source: Times archive
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/specials_/smoking_ban/article1842713.ece
