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Total smoking ban to be introduced in Mallorca on 2nd January 2011

featured in News & reviews Author Nicola Henderson, Site Editor Updated

Spain is due to bring in it's controversial total smoking ban on 2nd January 2011, and many Mallorcan establishments are not exactly happy with the new law. Bars and restaurants fear that the ban will drive their customers away and will impact heavily on their profits in what has already been a challenging year for them.

A partial smoking ban introduced in 2006 forced businesses to invest in creating smoking and non-smoking areas, and this investment is now seen as a waste of time and money as no help from central government was made available to cover the costs. This extension of the smoking ban is seen as a double-whammy against small businesses in Majorca who are struggling with the economic crisis and the winter temperatures making al-fresco dining undesirable.

The government has been determined to bring in the total smoking ban using the health argument to push it though parliament. In addition, the government says that bars and restaurants will benefit from the ban as clients who dislike a smoky atmosphere will return to their establishments.

Bar owners are also saying that they should not be held responsible for individuals lighting up in their establishments, and it is in fact these individuals who should be fined rather than the businesses.