Friday, October 28, 2005 - Smoking in Bars

On January 1st Spain joins the smokeless countries, and if it works in Ireland I suppose that there is a chance that it could work here, but the fine print is interesting. There will be an eight month period to adapt, Bars & Restaurants over 100 sq metres will be able to have smoking areas provided that they are not sited inside other premises where smoking is banned (institutions, hospitals etc). The room for smokers must be clearly marked, physically separate from other rooms and completely compartmentalised, and will have to have an independent extraction system that completely eliminates the smoke. The maximum area allocated to smokers must not exceed 30 percent of the communal area and in any case must not exceed 300 sq metres. What might make it work is the fact that special inspectors are to employed to enforce the new laws and fine both the smoker and their owner of the premises between 30 and 600 euros. Smaller establishments (of less than 100 sq metres) will be able to decide whether to be a smoking or non smoking bar, but if they decide to go the smokers route they will have to install extractors that are separate from the main ventilation system AND they will not be allowed to have children on the premises. Lots of strange anomalies are sure to come to light over the next few months. Today one of the Spanish newspapers has discovered that if you employ a home help, nanny etc your home becomes a workplace, meaning that the home owner will not be allowed to smoke in their own home!

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 Anonymous said...

Do you really think that this will work in spain??  

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