I have just read that the ban which was due to come into effect on 2nd January now won´t happen until July.

I'll be staying in Spain untill July then.
tuk-tuk

Where did you read that? Got a link? I'll have a search...

Not much news of that online at the moment...

There was some doubt that the law would be passed in time for the Jan 2 start but apparently it has.

I got it from www.typicallyspanish.com. Not very good at giving links I am afraid but it is in the December news. Hope I have got it wrong.

I also read that they will allow smoking rooms but not the waiters to go in them. Peeps will have to go and get their own food and drink.

I don’t know, we’ve had some lengthy and heated discussions on the subject in the past and I don’t have any particular views on the subject, but I’ve always found Spain to be a ‘smoking’ country. I was out and about today and it appeared to me that everyone was smoking. I wondered what would happen if the smoking ban forecast for the 2nd January came into effect, and came to the conclusion that the country would shut down completely.

The Guardia Civil would have to be disbandoned; banks would only open for half-an-hour at a time, there would be no taxis, and my barber, who’s British, would probably have to close.

The article on Typically Spanish suggests that it will go ahead in January.

http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news...le_28127.shtml

But who knows? It could yet get delayed and anyway, what plans are there to enforce it? It certainly wasn't enforced when it came in 4 years ago.

The PP approved an amendment which would allow for the creation of smokers zones of up to 30% in bars, and want the requirements for the establishing of a smokers club to be weakened. An amendment to delay the whole package until July next year was also approved.

Read more: http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news...#ixzz17SH6UM4l

This report in El País today says that the minister said that "possibly" the law could come into effect on Jan 2, and that they are talking/thinking about booths for addicts, postponement until July and a further increase in the price of tobacco. Another report says that unless there are any changes, and they don't think there will be, it's law from Jan 2.
http://www.elpais.com/articulo/opini...pepiopi_10/Tes

So at the moment, it's a definite maybe! Three weeks to go and still undecided, unbelievable. Pajín is in favour of passing the law as it is proposed, ie without any alterations.

The interesting thing is that in our local newspaper there has been a discussion on the ban and there are 54 comments I would say 90% are in favour which is indeed surprising.

The forums, comments I have read in the press would back that up. I know the experts here have laughed at the figures, but according to the Spanish press, 70% of the Spanish are non smokers.

Rubbish Here in England it amazes me how determined smokers are .... even in sub zero conditions smokers will go outside for their nicotine fix. I can't see it being a problem in Spain where the climate is much milder and there are plenty of outside bars. Offices and shops should not allow smokers anyway

And they don´t!