The reason my in-laws sold up and retired to Spain was because their money went further and my father-in law wasn't been dictated to as to where he could enjoy a ciggie.

Now their pensions don't go as far because they are paid in stirling which is very weak against the euro, also fags and backie has recently gone up and now they are talking about a total smoking ban in public places. Whatever next.

Sue

This is not the first time that the Spanish Health Dept have put this forward. Spain run things differently to the UK, and their public opinion consultations are totally transparent and not manipulated to give the 'right' answer. Also, the Spanish Government are very cautious concerning legislation which might adversly affect their tourist industry. Another thing to remember is that the Spanish people dig their heels in if they do not agree with something, and I very much doubt if the Spanish would waste time and money on the patronising 'enforcment officers' and heavy fines which the UK has.

Spain as a whole may not strongly enforce a total ban even if it was passed, however the current Mayor of Benidorm seems to be a power crazy individual and i wouldn't be at all surprised if, given the opportunity he would find the resources from within to enforce this. Having said all that, i still dont feel that a total ban will come in....at least for a few more years anyway!

Best Regards - Taggy

This would be brilliant, its the one thing that spoils my holiday ...the right for selfish individuals to blow smoke over me & my family while I'm having a meal in a restaurant! They can't do it at home, so why should they abroard!

Tubs you do have a point, and as a non smoker myself it doesnt bother me too much...but in defence of smokers where restaurants are concerned i think most smokers choose not to smoke at the table, ive never really had much probs in restaurants really..yeh the odd bar can become a bit smokey, but not usually intollerable...up until now i though spain had got it about right really, be interesting to see what happens...as a non smoker it wont affect me other than if things go the same way as in Britain then the pub industry will really suffer!!

Best Regards - Taggy

GOING TO CAYPSO HOTEL IN BENIDORM IN 2 WEEKS AS I AM A SMOKER CAN I SMOKE IN MY BALCONY

Pretty sure you can smoke on any hotel balcony...having said that i'm a non-smoker!

Best Regards - Taggy

Just to confirm what Taggy said, yes you can smoke on the balcony, and I am a smoker. I have visited Benidorm a lot, and stayed in quite a few different hotels. My experience is this. If the hotel has balconies there is no problem, there is usually an ashtray in the room anyway. Some hotels (I don't know about the Calypso) are non smoking, which in Spain means public areas, whereas the room has an ashtray. Some hotels have a smoking bar. Hotels without balconies often have smoking/non smoking rooms. Having said that, when I stayed at the Villa de Benidorm once they had had to put us on a non smoking floor, so Hosea (reception) told us to get an ashtray from the bar!!! Remember Martha, this is Spain, smokers are not seen as filthy polluters like they are in the UK.

They can't do it at home, so why should they abroard!

ummm ... this IS my home!!!

There are restaurants in Spain that do not allow smoking... go there. I choose not to ... you have a choice too. Not like in "Great Britain" where it is dictated to you.

Of course you have a choice in the UK.

Non smokers inside - smokers outside.

What's fairer than that?

maybe an idea in the uk would be for all smokers inside and non smokers outside i wonder if you would still say that you cant say fairer than that especially in mid winter when its minus 5 degrees after all non smokers seem to like the fresh air

Just a reminder that this topic is intended for discussion about specific establishments in Benidorm and the Costa Blanca which either allow or disallow smoking.

Many thanks
David

Yes, there is a lot of discussion about this issue online. I know that I am not able to provide links, but I am sure David won't mind me saying that if you are a non smoker who wants to have a go, this is not the place for it. Google Freedom 2 Choose and Taking Liberties if that is what you want to do. Thanks David.

This is not the first time that the Spanish Health Dept have put this forward. Spain run things differently to the UK, and their public opinion consultations are totally transparent and not manipulated to give the 'right' answer. Also, the Spanish Government are very cautious concerning legislation which might adversly affect their tourist industry. Another thing to remember is that the Spanish people dig their heels in if they do not agree with something

As a smoker myself, the rights and wrongs of the habit always manage to get a topic locked.
The rights and wrongs of freedom of choice is non negotiable, whatever gives people the right to think there is such a thing as a democracy any more.?
It's not a matter of if, but just a matter of when.
This is coming from the EU, who have told the member states to toughen up the smoking laws.
By 2012, they want it banned in all public places and by 2025 a smoke free EU, and that means the Costa Blanca and Benidorm.

Spain is not the same Spain that some of us remember, there is a new generation of Spaniards who are enjoying the benefits of Spain joining the EU.
Spain has been one of the biggest receivers out of the EU money pot and have become another puppet of their European paymasters.
Smoking has already been banned in certain public places and that was just the first step to walk the Spanish into a full ban.
When their paymasters say "jump", the Spanish politicians will say "how high" because they will be thinking about all those new promenades, roads, farming subsidies, new hospitals and the billions invested in the rail network, which have lifted Spain in a very short space of time from being a backward 3rd world country, into one with an excellent health care system.

IMO: Enjoy it while it lasts.
http://ec.europa.eu/news/environment/090708_en.htm
http://euobserver.com/9/26515

I stayed at the Calypso in June and yes you can smoke on the balconies (ashtrays provided). Also you can smoke on the terrace outside and watch the 'entertainment' through the lounge's large glass windows.

It will be the kiss of death for all Spanish resorts if this happens. I'm only a social smoker, love a few with a few pints. Never smoked in work or at home.
I don't like to see smoking in a restaurant but I do believe that it's up to the individual whether they smoke or not, but there should be places inside for smokers and non smokers.
I think it's terrible to see hotel and shop staff as well as the publice standing outside in all weathers to have a ciggie.

I believe that the Spanish authorities are planning to implement a total no smoking in bars and hotels some time during the summer.
I just thought it would be interesting to post here where you can and cant smoke.
I know it's been tried before and ignored, but it appears they will implement the rule this time.
Let's see if there are bars who will find a loophole or simply ignore the laws.
I know they allowed smoking in The Avenida when we were there in September. The Diplomatic have made a seperate room for smokers. Any others?

The calypso has a smoking room init and the windows are always open no problem mazza

Thanks Mazza, interesting, I wonder If they'll still have a smoking room when this ban comes in.