The Spanish government according to Elena Salgado the minister for health is actually going to toughen up the laws regarding smoking,
if in a years time the majority of bars are still allowing it.
There is a price war going on at the moment, the government raised the IVA (tax) on cigarettes on 1st Jan when the ban came into force, and within hours certain brands slashed their prices, so the government raised the taxes a bit more and consequently certain brands slashed their prices even further.
Owners of the thousands of street kiosks are doomed to lose their livelihood along with small business`s which also includes the thousands of cigarette vending machines and the people who service them, and whilst this may be hardship in the UK, in Spain it means disaster and long term unemployment, without the cushion of the generous giro coming through the letterbox.!
One could say that they are making a living selling a health hazard, well in that case we had better shut down all the off licences/bars as well.
So, whether you are pro or anti smoking at least have a bit of sympathy for these people and the long term prospects that they have to look forward too.
Many bar owners would like to ban smoking, (even before this ban came in) it saves on the expense of extractor fans, decorating because of nicotine stains and the structural work that is needed to comply with the law ( which don`t come cheap) but, 6 weeks into the ban their bar takings are not enough to pay the electricity bill never mind all the other overheads....and barely pays the landlord to keep a rented roof over their heads, therefore, they have no choice but to allow it .....and at the end of the day, it`s all about choice for
everyone.
So, am I happy that this ban is in force? no I am not

because I can see further than clearing the smoke from around me and further than the price of a packet of my fags.

including the lost revenue from the sale of tobacco that the Spanish government is going to have to find from somewhere, and my guess is that you and I may be paying more for our holidays in the future.
Besos xxx
sanji