Those who frequently use restaurants and bars in Spain are set for a new, smoke-free, experience as the country has banned smoking in enclosed public areas. The new rules began on Sunday, January 2nd 2011.
The law, which became effective on Sunday, means that smoking is now banned in enclosed public spaces such as airports, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, and any other enclosed public place.
It is also now illegal for any media in the country to carry tobacco advertising.
However, 30% of hotel rooms may be set aside for smokers, but rooms must be away from the rooms used for non-smokers. The non-smoking laws do not preclude smoking in open air restaurants, nor rehabilitation centres, such as old people’s homes.
The laws bring Spain into line with other European countries, many of which have already banned indoor smoking.