New fines in Spain for illegal smoking
Spain's days as smokers' paradise are coming to an end. The Spanish government plans to introduce a system of fines as part of new anti-smoking laws it hopes to push through Congress over the next few weeks. The proposed legislation includes fines for people found smoking in areas where it is forbidden, and for under-age smokers (of whom there are plenty in Spain) whose parents or guardians will be obliged to pay the fine on their behalf.
Spain's Health Minister, Elena Salgado, who makes no secret of the fact that she is a committed anti-smoking campaigner, announced plans to introduce tougher anti-smoking laws in Spain last November, and the draft legislation was approved by the members of President Rodriguez Zapatero's cabinet last week.
According to sources consulted by El Pais and ABC, the fines go from as much anything between 10,001 and a million euros for most serious offences related to illegal smoking, between 10,000 and 600 euros for serious offences, and 600 euros or less for the minor smoking-related offences.
Smoking will be a finable offence in the workplace, in all public buildings (ministries, social security offices, job centres, town halls.....), in all public transport, in hospitals, clinics, schools and in universities.
Related:
Rise in number of Spanish women smokers in Spain
Smoking to be banned on Spanish trains
Drugs in Spain
Spain's Health Minister, Elena Salgado, who makes no secret of the fact that she is a committed anti-smoking campaigner, announced plans to introduce tougher anti-smoking laws in Spain last November, and the draft legislation was approved by the members of President Rodriguez Zapatero's cabinet last week.
According to sources consulted by El Pais and ABC, the fines go from as much anything between 10,001 and a million euros for most serious offences related to illegal smoking, between 10,000 and 600 euros for serious offences, and 600 euros or less for the minor smoking-related offences.
Smoking will be a finable offence in the workplace, in all public buildings (ministries, social security offices, job centres, town halls.....), in all public transport, in hospitals, clinics, schools and in universities.
Related:
Rise in number of Spanish women smokers in Spain
Smoking to be banned on Spanish trains
Drugs in Spain
6 Comments:
Where the hell do governments, whose very existence is at the will of those governed, get the idea they have the RIGHT to dictate to individuals that they must comply with 'public health' rulings? Is it not the right of the individual to do as they choose with their own health and body? And regarding the much-ballyhooed 'public health risk of second-hand smoke', how about some REAL research studies, with REAL, verifiable data, that PROVE BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT that 'second-hand smoke' is a danger to society. The crap that is currently being passed off as 'research' on this subject is just that - crap!
Ehem. Obviously a smoker then? And quite irritated at the new laws in Spain? Here's to hoping that one day you manage to shed your filthy addiction and see the light. Good luck.
Where the hell does this person get the idea that other people want to smell of tobaco, get up in the morning with a smokers cough or even die because " HE " wants to smoke.
If governments want to make smoking illegal then do it for everywhere and see where there revenue will come from. EITHER MAKE IT ILLEGAL FULL STOP OF LEAVE IT LEGAL!!!!
You know what .... Smoking is nasty... and YES there is evidence which actually says that second hand smoke is more harmful than what the smoker is actually inhailing... GOOD for SPAIN.... Yes it is a personal choice if people want to take part in burning their insides... but is it fair for a person who doesnt smoke to have to be subjected to it?... They are poluting my hair... when i am out at a resturant i want to enjoy my food i dont want it to be infested with smoke.... it is a discusting habbit... They should have designated smoking rooms... and if people smoke outside of them or their house they should be fined... I dont want to be around it... i hate when i am walking to class and some jerkoff lights up is cancer stick infront of me... UGH.... especially people who are 25 and below... they KNEW BEFORE they started that it was bad... everytime i see someone around that age smoking... i just DONT understand...
I am now in Spain and I am completely disgusted by the atmosphere here! I am from NYC and yes, as here, there are smokers everywhere. The difference is that in New York, people tend to be more polite in public and are not allowed to smoke inside. That is where the problem is in Spain. I walked into a nice Japanese restaurant in Barcelona tonight and was accosted by the stench as I approached the entry way. The 'smoking section' was right by the door. My daughter requested the non-smoking section and we were escorted to the back of the restaurant, where the air was tolerable. Then, everyone at the hibachi table, located to the right of the non-smoking section, but clearly inside it, lit up at once. The explanation was that due to the vent hood over the table, they were permitted to smoke. The vent was off however, as their meal was finished.
I am not one to deny people the right to kill themselves slowly or otherwise. What angers me is the callous attitude towards my rights as a non-smoker to breathe clean air. I am literally allergic to cigarette smoke. In disgust, I quickly stood and went to the furthest corner in the back of the restaurant. The air there was clear enough. Eventually, after all the strange stares and murmurs about MY behavior from the other guests and staff, my two adult children joined me.
I am not one to play victim, choosing to take responsibility for most of what happens to me. This situation though makes me sick to my stomach. Apparently, there is a statute against public indoor smoking in Spain. Most people seem to completely ignore it, ass-hats and otherwise. A few, very few actually, brave souls have signs clearly posted on their establishment doors that say, 'No Fumar'.
I suppose it will take a very long time before I can safely return to this part of Europe. This is the same effect as smoking. Since it kills so slowly, the dynamic of change will take place slowly as well. In the meantime, I will do my part and stay away. I have lots of money though, and would love to spend it in beautiful places such as Barcelona. I searched the Net and found that smoking is actually rising in Europe, particularly among teens and women. In my opinion, that is just plain stupid. It's such a shame that such a ridiculously expensive, dangerous, smelly, disgusting habit is tolerated by so many. In the name of human rights, I am to be subjected to this pollution whether I like it or not? If I want to eat in Spain, I must tolerate this filth. I disagree with anyone on this blog who says this is a good thing. I am not a wimp because I choose to speak out against a habit of others that infringes on my right to simply breathe cleaner air.
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