The health minister -Trinidad Jiménez, - has decided this year will see the implimentation of the final phase of Spain’s anti smoking laws.

Up until now bars under 100m2 could choose to be smoking or no smoking, whilst those with an area larger than 100m2 had to provide an area for smokers that was completely walled off from the rest of the bar . Restaurants and government buildings were to be all non-smoking.

Seemed simple, but the law does not seem to have taken hold. Some bars have said the smoking area is the terrace, but there is debate as to whether this is a public space and therefore cannot have smoking. Others have blatantly ignored the law – in fact here in Javea it is difficult to find a really non- smoking bar and as of now we are aware of only 2 restaurants which have complied with the law. Scallops which is totally non-smoking and Benvenidos Chinese which has a separate walled off smoking area.

 Other discussions involve whether smoking should be allowed at open public venues like the Bull rings. Also if smoking is allowed in bars and restaurants it contradicts the law for no smoking in the work place.

The hospitality industry is trying to contest the implementation of the law as they feel it will have a negative influence on revenues. Discussions at the ministry are said to be coming to a conclusion and that they will implement the law whole heartedly this year.

Lets wait and see if they follow through this year!!