42% of Spaniards opposed to changes to anti-smoking laws

A recent survey has shown how 42 % of Spaniards are opposed to proposed changes to the law to ban smoking in bars, restaurants and shopping centres.

Over 500 over 18’s were interviewed by Metroscopia and findings report that 16% are ‘mostly in agreement’ with the new law and 40% are ‘very much in agreement’ and 11 % of those interviewed said how they ‘opposed the move moderately’ and 31% were ‘totally against’ banning smoking in restaurants and cafés.

Even though the law actually into force on January 1 this year, it will in effect be rolled out over the course of 2010.

Many Bars and Restaurants are actively opposing these changes because they paid for the installation of smoking areas, as dictated to the changes to the law just 4 years ago.

Health Minister Trinidad Jiménez reports how these business owners will not receive any compensation or financial help as a result, because fitting smoking booths was as a result of ‘their own choice’.