Hotel & Catering Industry Question Smoking Ban

The hotel and catering industry in Spain Tuesday yesterday protested against a government proposal to ban smoking in public places next year, warning that it could severely affect many business that are already struggling in the face of the current economic crisis.

Jose Luis Guerra, speaking on behalf of the Hotel and Catering Association stated "We are very concerned of the negative consequences” when asked about his thoughts on the proposed changes to the legislation."Our problem is that 40 percent of our customers link smoking with the consumption of products in hotels and restaurants," he said in he interview on a Spanish radio station, predicting a fall in business by as much as 10% if the proposed ban is imposed.

On Monday Spain’s Health Minister announced that the government has plans to pass a law next year to ban smoking in enclosed public places such as bars and restaurants.

Spain already has had an anti-smoking law since January 2006, less restrictive that in other European countries, which bans smoking in the workplace and on public transport but only partially in bars and restaurants.

"This comes at the worst moment for the catering industry in 15 years," said Guerra.

The Spanish economy is Europe’s fifth largest, but remains stuck in a recession since the final quarter of 2008, with unemployment already hanging between 19 – 20%.