SMOKING BAN

[uncle momo]

I have would like to know if there is a Smoking ban in Spain, any info on this thanking you Uncle Momo

[squeals]

yes it came into force this January. Small restaurants, I think it is under 100m sq,don't have to comply. Larger ones have to have separate smoking areas that I believe eventually will have to be separated by a wall with it's own ventilation. Usually there is a note in the window stating smoking permitted or not. Generally you can still smoke in most places though. I don't know whether that is good or bad for you, but at one of my favourite restaurants, we just nipped out side for one, something you can nearly always do in Spain, as it is so much better weather weather!

[Reece]

This particular ban is an unusual one as establishments of a certain size are permitted to choose to be smoking or non-smoking. Unfortunately, in my view, this means that most of the restraunts in the urbanisations are exempt from the ban. The majority have decided to allow smoking.

My personal experience as a non-smoker in the La Florida, Playa Flamenca, Villamartin and the various Via Park centres is that it can still be an unpleasant experience eating out.

For example, a chinese establishment in Playa Flamenca has a smoking and non-smoking area side-by-side. If you eat late, you are more likely to be sitting beside a smoker on the other side of the 'fence' - pointless! Fair play to Spud Murphy and some other owners who had decided to opt for non-smoking.

Eduardo's in La Florida is particularly bad. We had the experience recently of eating early (to avoid the smoke) only to be 'smoked out' by four adults, who had a fag after every course, which their young children and the rest of us shared.

I often wonder if smokers really realise just how food and stale tobacco smoke taste to a non-smoker.

[Pianokeith]

Hi
Reece is right, it is a very complicated ban and is causing much confusion.
In this area, It seems that most of the small bars (under 100sq.m)which have chosen to allow smoking are British run. As a musician I work in quite a few Spanish and Norwegian restaurants, they have complied and have no smoking policies. I understand restaurants which allow smoking must have a seperate enclosed area for smokers. Non smokers must not have to pass through a smoking area when entering the restaurant. An example of that is the Carrefore cafe.(Apparantley restauants have until September to build the smoking areas).
All public buildings are non smoking, there is a very small area at Alicante airport where smoking is allowed.
It was reported that the Minister responsible for the law is unhappy that more establishments have not complied voluntarily and is looking to extend the ban.

[costaconvert]

I agree with Reece on this one. I am an ex smoker so have experience on both sides of the fence, whilst I do not have a problem with people smoking in the open air if they so wish, (to be honest I still enjoy the smell of a cigerette when freshly lit) I do however have a problem with people smoking in restaurants on the table next to me.

I actually find it incredible rude that someone should light a cigerette without asking the people on each side of them if they mind, I have a young son and do not want him to inhale smoke.

I think the sooner the law is changed to include all restaurants the better, because as has been said already the smaller restaurants which are on the urbanizations do not have to comply and most have opted to continue smoking so we can never enjoy a meal out without someone around us lighting up.

Ditto Reece on that particular restaurant I have also had the same experience there.

Last time I came back from Spain (last month) flew from Murcia and people were complaining because the airport authorities had removed the bar area facility for smokers so people had checked in hoping to sit around and smoke only to discover that it was no longer available to them.
I overheard several people complaining or commenting about it, so all you smokers that wish to fly from Murcia don't check in too early because its a non smoking airport now.

[Going Home]

The solution to your problem is very very simple, if you do not wish to eat in these establishments because they allow smoking then DON'T GO THERE!

I am sure they will manage just fine without you.

[costaconvert]

The solution to your problem is very very simple, if you do not wish to eat in these establishments because they allow smoking then DON'T GO THERE!

I am sure they will manage just fine without you.

With that attitude you are obviously a smoker. Sometimes it is not easy to just not go somewhere. We are talking about our local establishments why should we not go there we have as much right to enjoy an evening out as every body else.

All we are saying is that smoking should be confined either outside or in a segregated area's. I am sure that they will manage without me (and have done so as I have stopped using one of my local establishments because you get smoked out whenever you are in there), but if everyone had that attitude they would manage.

[Going Home]

Actually I am a non smoker and have never smoked, however I believe in freedom of choice and whilst it remains a legal activity I see no reason why people who care to smoke should be vicimised in this way.

I have a choice to patronise establishments that allow smoking or not, sometimes I do sometimes I don't. My choice.

Many of my non smoking friends take the same attitude, typically the only ones who do whinge are the "ex smokers" like yourself.

[costaconvert]

Actually I am a non smoker and have never smoked, however I believe in freedom of choice and whilst it remains a legal activity I see no reason why people who care to smoke should be vicimised in this way.

I have a choice to patronise establishments that allow smoking or not, sometimes I do sometimes I don't. My choice.

Many of my non smoking friends take the same attitude, typically the only ones who do whinge are the "ex smokers" like yourself.

Winge! Me!
I don't think so I too believe in freedom of choice, but have never been called a winger over it, I have no problem with people smoking if you re-read my first post it states that I actually like the smell of a freshly lit cigarette.

But I too have freedom of choice and I would rather not sit next to someone who is puffing throughout an entire meal and blowing smoke in my direction, unfortunately there are not enough places in Spain to go where smoking is banned or smokers are segregated and certainly not where I live.

Why should it be ok for the smokers to smoke wherever they want to but as soon as a non smoker complains we are victimising smokers? "I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH SMOKERS I JUST DON'T WANT TO SMOKE NOT EVEN PASSIVELY AND THAT IS MY RIGHT"

After watching two people die of lung cancer due to smoking I decided I would prefer not to go that way, its quite a horrific way to die you know! You may say so is being hit by a bus, but lung cancer due to smoking is preventable.

I have never seen myself as your typical ex smoking winger and even as a smoker I would never have lit a cigarette in a restaurant, never smoked around my children, and would have never been so rude to assume that everyone around did not mind my smoking so it was ok to blow smoke over their children or food.

[uncle momo]

non smobing ban

thank you for your replies,i am a non- smoker and i only asked a simple question, i didnot mean to start world war 3.so lets close the subject ok folks Regards Uncle Momo

[costaconvert]

Re: non smobing ban

thank you for your replies,i am a non- smoker and i only asked a simple question, i didnot mean to start world war 3.so lets close the subject ok folks Regards Uncle Momo

Don't worry uncle momo its not war, just a healthy discussion. There are several things that should not be talked about in an open forum 1) politics, 2) religion and 3) smoking.

What do you think going home? Shall we agree to differ?

[Going Home]

Maybe we should be smoking the Peace Pipe!



Yeah, agree to differ.

[uncle momo]

non smoking ban

Hi chaps no comment on smoking ok. whats the weather like we are out friday 17th march.