The Spanish Smoking Ban 1 Month On
The Spanish Smoking Ban 1 Month On
(Benidorm)  

Smoking was banned in public places in Spain on January 2nd and has hardly left the headlines since!

 

Whilst most would agree it is for the best (after all, why should non smokers be exposed to other’s smoke?) in a land largely associated with the social scene the ban has hit the bar and restaurant industry hard. Here we summarize some of the comments Roundtown received on the subject and some of the ways the Spaniards have tried to get round the ban.

Smokers Clubs
Some bar owners thought that changing their premises into "Smokers clubs" would be the way to go. But it’s not that easy; the club has to be a legally registered entity; there is no selling of alcohol permitted, nor any other consumable product, the only people permitted to enter are those previously registered as a member, underage people are strictly banned, and in fact any kind of money making enterprise is forbidden! (Not much point in doing that then!)

Smokers ‘Kitty’
There have also been cases where bar owners, after doing the math, have decided it would be cheaper to pay the fine than loose the custom. So smokers are required to put 2€ in the smokers ‘kitty’ on the bar every time they light up, to go towards the 600€ fine if the bar gets ‘caught’.

Suggestions on how the ban could have less impact range from waiting till summer when we’re all outdoors anyway to placing a curfew on the time allowed to smoke, say after 10pm. One of the best solutions to hit the news though, came from Pontevedra, where the owner of a restaurant has parked his delivery van, right outside his restaurant door. He has fitted the van out with tables, chairs and even heating, so that up to six customers at a time can quite legally sit in the warmth for a fag.

 Here in Benidorm, Wayne, aka Levi of popular Hotel and caberet venue Queens in the Old Town has (as usual) embraced the change full on by incorporating the ban into his show. Smoker Wayne told Roundtown “Half way through the show I tell the audience I’m going outside for a fag and I take the audience with me! It saves everyone getting up at different times and disrupting the show and I’ve cut down by half already so happy days!”
 
Smoke Patrollers
Security experts Cobra Close Protection are offering a ‘Smoke Patrol’ service which provides landlords peace of mind, safe in the knowledge that punters aren’t lighting up at the back of the club.
“It’s not just the customer that gets fined if they’re smoking - it’s the landlord too” explained Ian of Cobra Close Protection. “But you can’t be everywhere! And if someone lights up, it may provoke others who fancy a fag to do the same and before you know it half the bar are smoking! So it’s our job to make sure no-one’s smoking to save you money. It’s a line of work we did in a lot of places in the UK when the ban came in until people got used to it”.
If you want to avoid a hefty fine, contact Cobra Close Protection aka the ‘Smokey Patrollers’ on 96 585 1968


The Roundtown facebook page was inundated with your comments; here’s a few;

“What hypocrisy!The smoke from slow burning fire ( incomplete combustion) is very dangerous and unhealthy because of the carbon dioxide (CO2) What is Brussels doing about that?” Leo
“ If smoking is so dangerous why is it legal to drive around in a car with one´s children in the back whilst smoking?” Chris Whewell
 In my opinion - brilliant! Linda Ferguson

 “Bad move for an economy that is already struggling. In high season there are going to be a huge number of people outside of the bars and clubs rather than inside which could cause a number of problems. A pub or bar should be allowed to choose whether it is a smoking bar or non smoking”. Donna Johnson Ford

 “Delighted, now we can go out and not come home stinking of smoke and coughing the next day” Christopher Logan Moran.

“All very well but like people say Spain is fighting a recession. I would imagine that winter holidays will be hit the hardest”. John Cross;.

 “I’m looking forward to summer! Instead of sitting or melting in 40º heat. I can go inside and sit in the smoke free bar!” Adele Jayne Gomez

 “Well I think there should be smoking bars and none smoking bars then everyone has the choice to go where they like!” Fiona Gibson

“Not before time” Alan Towle.

 “I’m delighted with the ban. In fact, I’m bringing my teenage sons here in February and wouldn’t have done that if the place was still full of smoke” Peter

Female vocal artist Cheryle, best known for her afternoon show on Cool fm told Roundtown “I personally prefer the smokeless atmosphere as it’s easier on my voice. That said, it’s really hard to perform to a crowd who keep nipping out for a fag!”

Jane, Manager of popular Benidorm bar Tommys told Roundtown “Loads of people have said they won’t come back, they only come to Benidorm because they can enjoy a pint and a cigarette without feeling guilty but from now on they’ll go to somewhere like Turkey”.

Well obviously we hope this isn’t the case – and lets face it, while the weather is warm in the day we can sit outside on the sunny terraces and soon it will be warm enough in the evenings too…which brings us to our final observation on the subject; ironically the town halls are making money from the ban as in most towns bars pay taxes per terrace table and per month. So, whereas before they would only apply for tables in summer, they’re now having to pay for more tables, for more months if they want to attract the smokers.

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