/ / / /

The New Year Brings a Smoking Ban to Spain

Where: Spain
January 3, 2011 at 9:36 AM | by | Comment (1)

Warning to smokers: Don't light up in public places when traveling through Spain anymore. Yesterday the country enacted a ban on smoking in enclosed public spots, including restaurants and bars. So you won't get a chance to partake in the old smoky tapas bar tradition during your visit.

If you get caught puffing away, it will cost you; a first-time offense carries a $40 fine, and repeat offenders will have to cough up as much as $134,000 after the third strike. However, enclosed spots aren't the only places where where your pack of cigs and lighter are prohibited. You also can get slapped with a fine for smoking in some outdoor areas as well, including playgrounds and near hospitals.

This is a big change for the formerly haze-filled country, which was one of the few last remaining Western European nations to allow smoking in public places. Plus, according to the Christian Science Monitor, government officials estimate that 35 percent of residents above 16 are regular smokers.

[Photo: xornalcerto]

Comment (1)

Post a Comment

Return to » The New Year Brings a Smoking Ban to Spain


A very contentious law

Hello, I'm from Spain and the truth that the anti-snuff has not gone down very well. I am not a smoker but I do not mind if people smoke. Bars and restaurants are taking many losses because of the law. I honestly think that every bar or restaurant would have to decide for itself whether to allow smoking on its premises, and each decides to enter that location or not. a pleasure <a href="http://www.buscadorviajesbaratos.com">NeyLo2011</a>
buscadorviajes on October 26, 2011 at 3:25 AM #Permalink

Return to » The New Year Brings a Smoking Ban to Spain

Join the conversation!

Not a member? .
Use of this Site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (effective 3/21/12) and Privacy Policy (effective 3/21/12). © Condé Nast. Your California Privacy Rights. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast.
Ad Choices