Spain’s Smoking Ban Set to Extend to Bars, Restaurants

Madrid, Dec 30 (IANS/EFE) The Spanish government is planning to extend its smoking ban at workplaces to bars, cafes, restaurants and other enclosed public spaces by amending the anti-tobacco law next year, officials said.

Health and social rights groups have welcomed the government’s proposal.

About 30 percent of the population in Spain admitted to smoking either daily or occasionally during a recent health survey in the country.

The new figures come to light three years after the current anti-tobacco law took effect, prohibiting smoking in workplaces.

However, people have criticised the government for not cracking down on smoking at bars, restaurants and other leisure establishments.

Health Minister Trinidad Jimenez said Tuesday her department is finalising the reform bill.

Ireland and Italy have already banned smoking at bars, restaurants and other leisure establishments without causing any harm to their economy, she added.

Posted by Vamban on Dec 30, 2009 @ 1:52 AM Filed under Europe, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry