Spain Bans Smoking. Take A Deep Breath

As from today, January 2nd, 2011, it is illegal to smoke in enclosed public places in Spain, including bars, restaurants, discos, offices, hallways, elevators, casinos, airports, nearby school and hospital entrances, and so on. The list with its exceptions is as long as my hand. Hotels, hostels and similar are not allowed having more than 30% of the rooms as smoking rooms and they have to be the same ones from one guest to another. If you smoke, than better book in advance!

I can see the distress café owners and smokers are in. The only place is missing from this list is people's very own, personal homes, you know, that place where you are supposed to be free to do anything you like as long as you don't hurt others. Oh, wait, smoking is harmful to others! Out of 51,000 annual deaths due to smoking in Spain, 3,000 are passive smokers. Never mind, just wait four more years and the new amendment will include private residences as well... Spain's national health care system is definitely looking for ways to reduce costs. A new era begins today. Unfortunately smoke-free it's not the same as clean air. Though Spain is a leader in green energy, in this direction work much to be done left is.

The previous anti-smoking law from 2006 allowed small bars and restaurants to choose between being smoking or no smoking and the larger ones required two separate areas. This time though, the Spanish government outdid itself. They even created a webpage where people can anonymously go and file complaints. This so reminds me of Primary School... More than that, the fine will range from 30euro to... take a deep breath... 100,000euro. Not to mention that not only the person violating the law is to be fine, but the owner of the company where the action took place too. Is this supposed to balance the losses Spain might have due to the ones that constrained by these new conditions will slowly give up smoking?

I don's smoke; never did. From where I stand, this is good news. How do you feel about the new anti-smoking law in Spain?

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