can someone tell me if there is a smoking ban in Spain and if so is it strictly adhered to.

I believe there was a smoking ban introduced a few years ago (???), but it wasnt adhered to and the law was amended. There are restrictions, but unlike the UK, its not a "blanket" ban. Most bars of a certain size allow smoking and some restaurants.

Jo

The law is - and remains - that it is illegal to smoke if you are in your workplace. Smoking is banned on all public transport. Now for the biggie... it is banned in all bars and restaurants - unless it the premesis is under 100m2 in public use (ie bar, bitchen etc don't count). If it is over 100m2 then there has to be a seperate smoking room that occupies no more than 30% of the total meterage of the building. It must have a separate ventilation system from th emain bar, it cannot be near the serving bar itself, nor the entry or exit, and not near the toilets.

These are pretty much not adheered to, and inspectors are not going in for fear of a massive revolt. The government now knows ot should have done all or nothing - this halfway house is useless

The beauty of Spain..............the people are sane.

The Dictatorship of the proletariate...............let the people decide.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fortaleza

The law is - and remains - that it is illegal to smoke if you are in your workplace. Smoking is banned on all public transport. Now for the biggie... it is banned in all bars and restaurants - unless it the premesis is under 100m2 in public use (ie bar, bitchen etc don't count). If it is over 100m2 then there has to be a seperate smoking room that occupies no more than 30% of the total meterage of the building. It must have a separate ventilation system from th emain bar, it cannot be near the serving bar itself, nor the entry or exit, and not near the toilets.

Correct me if I am wrong but doesn't an establishment have to put up signs saying you can smoke on the premises and if there is no sign you cannot .I have also been told that if the establishment permits smoking children are not prermitted (my daugher 12 has been told she had to leave a bar once and once only )but I think most places turn a blind eye .I don't smoke but I think pubs should permit smoking but in certain areas only and anyone can choose to go in that area if they so wish .I dont think smokers should be treated like lepers we all have our weaknesses and I dont think we would like to be treated like social outcasts because of that. I can guarantee all non smokers have another habit or vice which they would not like to be discriminated against because of it.I'd rather sit with a smoker than a perv or a Paedophile at least I know a smoker will light up and I can move away if I wish but even CONVICTED paedos and pervs have no labels and can strike without warning at least a smoker is up front and you know what you are getting .

Heres a piccy of my house-keeper having her smoke break in the garden.She has just been on 10 years younger the TV show so now is well hot and she is looking for a nice welsh toyboy if any of you are interested.Must have own teeth, hair and a car, Please send photo of car

Such a shame I am Irish

I was led to believe that in the rare case of an establishment being fined, the penalty was so minimal the owners would prefer to pay & not loose the trade

Ouch, not so minimal.

It is not dependent on whether you have a sign or not. If it did, everyone would just get a sign. If you fit the conditions specified above, you get your place specified if it is smoking, not smoking or had a smoking room. I don't smoke but I don't mind people smoking in bars. But if there is food in any shape or form, be it tapas, toast or full menu, then smoking should not be allowed full stop. In a bar or pub, where you are just drinking, I know in advance that there will be smoking, and I make a choice of whether to enter or not. I control my smoke intake in that instance. If I'm going for a meal it should be a smoke free environment - I don't want the food to contaminated by the foul stench of nicotine. Smokers in restaurants are such selfish bastards - they won't smoke whilst the food is on the table and they see no problem whatsoever in lighting up when the meal is over and the plates are cleared. It doesn't matter to them that the tables around them are only on their starters.

Anyway - the law as it is will either be revoked completely, or go down the total ban route. As it stands it does not work. Because of all the different terms and conditions on it, hardly anyone understands it (or moreover choose not to understand it). In my town there are over 130 licensed premesis and, with the exception of the hotels, not a single one that is over 100m2 complies with the law and have not been fined.

Spot on Mr Forty.Worst ones are the ones that light up between courses and some even smoke and eat at same time.Multi tasking or what!
Spain is almost the same as UK apart from the word don't.
In UK if you want to smoke you go outside.
In Spain if you don't want to smoke you go outside.
Plus side is weather is much better.

i smoke and i smoke a lot.
i have had to put up with pollution and keep on putting it up. i have had to be in a inappropriate chair in wich i spend a lot of hours in front of a computer that its bad for my eyes. I spend a lot of hours in a space in which the air conditions is not suitable and the air is contaminated and its damaging, but i cant smoke. actually, if i go out for dinner and i am not going to be able to smoke i dont go. That is why almost all "bares" in Spain allow you to smoke.

some years ago, the government was very interested in people smoke, they earn a lot of money. Then, they found out that the money they have to spend in taking care of the people who have an illness due to the tobacco was bigger than the benefits they get for the money smoking people wasted, then, and only then, they prohibited it. who is who to prohibit me to do anything, who, the person who stole money for himself, the people who smoke, the people who take a private plane to do shopping in london, who? the most prohibited is something the most attractive for me it is.

I have a confession to make.I used to be a smoker until 15 years ago.So I am no saint.
But even then I would not smoke in a restaurant as I know many people
do not like the smell of smoke when they are eating and children were usually present.
In a bar yes I would have smoked,as children were not allowed in.