Hi,

Have just replied in your other thread on 'Fags n Stuff'! I can't say that I noticed a ban when there last week but then I am a non-smoker. Be warned, however, that Cuban police have the powers to impose on-the-spot fines for traffic offences and if there is a smoking ban, I would assume that they could have similar powers in relation to enforcing it.

Please be careful too if you make friends with a local and breach any laws or regulations in their company. They could end up with the 'offence' being recorded immediately at the time on their ID card by the police which they have to carry with them at all times. Once someone's card is marked in this way it can be very difficult to get it removed. So if there is a now a smoking ban in place please be sensitive about breaking it if any Cubans are part of your group.

As for the big tourist hotels, I can't speak for any local/internal policies that they might have. Most are managed by European companies who might well be introducing more European-orientated policies in line with the growing trend to restrict smoking in public areas within the EU.

SM

ok will do, thanks again for your thorough and and useful information

No problem - glad to be of help! I can't really advise in relation to the standard tourist expereince in Cuba but happy to help in any other way.

SM