Extended smoking ban worst news this summer for Spain’s hostelry sector

Extended smoking ban worst news this summer for Spain’s hostelry sector
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By m.p. - Aug 18, 2009 - 2:33 PM
Unions say many smaller bars and restaurants will be forced to close if the harsher measures are introduced

EFE

The recent news from the Health Minister that the government is working on extending the smoking ban to all public places is the ‘worst news of the summer’ for Spain’s hostelry sector, a union has claimed. The UPTA union for the self-employed said the stricter measures will mean many businesses will have to close.

Under current legislation, bars and restaurants smaller than 100 square metres can choose whether they want to allow smoking on the premises or not, and most have indeed chosen to allow it. Those larger in size must set aside a completely separate area for smokers.

But the Health Minister, Trinidad Jiménez, wants the ban extended to include all public places and UPTA believes that could force many small family-owned businesses or those run by the self-employed to close down after the summer.

In a statement released this Tuesday, the union claims the only benefit of such a move would be to ‘certain chains of businesses’. They said the owners of small bars and restaurants need to make an informed decision, and can only do that with immediate clarification from the Health Ministry of the government’s intentions.

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