smoking ban

On January 9th at 3pm, I will have been off cigarettes for 2 years and having recently moved to Spain (June this year) it is a pain going home from bars stinking of smoke.

BUT;

I try to refrain from becoming one of those hollier than thou ex-smokers and remember when I smoked like a train around others. I can also remember how I detested the smoking bans in the UK and Ireland. How I dreaded flying, even short hops to Spain, without a cigarette. I'm also old enough to remember smoking on planes!

Smoking is legal, the government has made a fortune from smokers paying ridicuous taxes and some peoplle are very addicted. Is it fair to allow tobacco advertising and allow smoking virtually everywere for decades until millions of people are addicted, then say you can't smoke here, there or anywhere else?

For some of you non-smokers that may not fully appreciate the addiction of cigarettes, consider giving up something you love for a year. Perhaps those few beers or glasses of wine everyday and I think alcohol is less addictive.

Hi all,

I gave up 30 years ago, hard it was after clearing 40+ a day. So i remember too well what it was like so do my sons. They used to complain all the time i have 2 none smokers and believe it or not the youngest smokes, his  wife is trying to give up and she can't because he can't.

I have to admit i would not have liked the ban either but thank goodness i gave up i hate to think what my health would be like now or!!! would i even be alive.

BRING IT ON!

Jeanie.

 The fact remains, whatever your views, that the smoking ban has had a massive impact on the old-fashioned 'pub' in England. I'd hate to see a rise in  'gastropubs' in Spain in the same way as they seem to have taken over in England. 

Expensive beer (compared to supermarkets), and people being more responsible about drink/driving has I think  had a bigger impact?.  Knowing you can go for drink now without being subjected to fag smoke and all the known hideous health issues involved is a plus for many.

I miss the smell of cigars at Xmas in cosy pubs, like I missed having a couple of pints of strong ale and driving home when the drink/drive laws were made stricter.  Missing it though doesn't justify it.

 Many more pubs have closed down since the smoking ban. No doubt expensive beer is another factor but for many people who like a cigarette with their drink they'd prefer to stay at home. It's really not worth paying over the odds to stand outside in the rain with your pint. I don't think there's enough people who've been staying away because of the smoke to replace them. Anyway, once the ban is in place at least it will stop the arguments about it and those who object to the smoke can enjoy their drink in a pub. If they can find one, that is. 

I was a smoker when the smoking bans were introduced and thought Spain had got it right.

In Spain small bars/cafes under a certain size could chose to declare as smoking or non-smoking. Bars/cafes over that size could have both smoking and non-smoking areas but they needed their own toilets and entrance/exits.

Unfortunately there were enough loopholes so in true Spanish fashion everyone continued to do whatever the hell they liked!

I worked as a holiday rep. in Salou in the summer of 2004 (the best summer of my life!). The smoking ban had just been introduced in the Republic of Ireland. When we were doing bus transfers for punters from the Dublin flights, the fact that they could enjoy a smoke with their pint was a major part of our sales pitches.

I returned to Salou a few years later in 2007 and to my surprise most of the tourist bars frequented by Irish people were non smoking. I can only assume it was punter led.

 The Health Minister has confirmed that Spain is to introduce an extended smoking ban next year, when, from an as yet to be confirmed date, ‘No Smoking’ signs will be seen in all closed public places. The legislation which has been in place since 2006 currently permits the smaller bars and restaurants to choose whether to allow smoking on the premises or not; if they do allow it, they must provide a separate closed-off area for smokers.

That option will no longer exist once the changes are brought in, but Minister Trinidad Jiménez has confirmed however that the stricter measures will not extend to open air premises, such as restaurant terraces and bull rings, where smoking will still be permitted.

Europa Press reports that the Minister said in a radio interview with Rac1 on Monday that the government’s decision is fundamentally based on protecting health, and said she believes that Spain is ‘culturally prepared’ for stricter measures to be adopted. There was no indication from the Minister on exactly when during 2011 the extended ban will be implemented, although she did comment that negotiations are in their final phase, with a large amount of support for the move amongst politicians.

The planned changes have however been criticised by the hostelry sector, where it’s feared that profits will see a sharp drop and many businesses may be forced to close.

Well done the health minister for helping to save many lives and a hell of a lot of suffering. As it's not extended to open spaces, that should satisfy most hopefully?.

Let's hope the hideous agony, torture and death in Bull fighting soon goes the same way!!

Cant wait till the BAN is extended we visited our favourite restaurant in November and two people must have smoked at least 10 fags each coughing and spluttering over other diners whilst we ate our meal

I understand they are all going in brown wrappers and under the counters soon in the UK shops

Heres to a healthier enviroment in SPAIN

Rod

I thought the new smoking ban was due to start 2nd Jan 2011. Am I mistaken? Has there been a change of heart?

"I thought the new smoking ban was due to start 2nd Jan 2011."

That's what I heard too.

I read it was the 2nd, so that every one can enjoy the celebrations.

But i'm hereing it could be july now.

Jeanie.

I wouldn't be surprised!

July 20?? LOL

The lower house ( congress )  passed it & sent it to the upper house ( senate ) who disagreed , added modifications like 30% of bar areas for smokers & other things like delay of implementation  & sent it back to the congress.

So Gus

Whose going to tell the bar owners?, all that I have asked just shrug their shoulders, I've heard it's going to be July, it's far to cold to ban it in January!.

This is a ridiculous situation really.  If the Italians can implement and adhere to a smoking ban then there's no reason why they can't just do it in Spain.

Justin

Hi Guslopez,

Long time no speak!

Oh well!

Wasn't that what they did the first time around back in 2006?

As someone who spent 10 years in UK NHS introducing smoking bans and offering people quitting  services, I hope Spain goes the whole way asap.  The impact of smoking on health is so severe that only idiots carry on with it...you may be OK at 45 but by 60 you will be struggling to get up a little hill or go shopping...it just is not a cool thing to do anymore.  My spanish friend in the village (who works in a spanish hospital) wants us to get to be thhe first smoke-free village in spain...course it won't happen but it's a nice idea

The proposed ban has already been postponed at least twice and I'm still not convinced it will actually happen. Even if it does, can you see the Spanish bars actually observing it? A few free drinks and the police will no doubt turn a blind eye to the smokers  - and perhaps have a sneaky drag themselves! I feel a Grumpy Old Gran article coming on!

The trouble is all these people that say they'll be able to go to bars when there's a total ban don't actually do it. In addition most bars I use are filled with smokers at 6/7 am who are in there before work . How are you going to replace the 500€'s that my local bar takes before 7,30 am from his customers that are 90% smokers , or in another the two old boys who average 20-25 €'s a day , 7 days a week sat in their with brandies smoking.  Two bars I use are petrol stations & have outside areas , 6meters from the pumps. A 3rd one in a small village , the outside area is 6 foot from the petrol pump. They're recipes for disaster !!