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Issue 587
Leaving our Politicians well alone?
Paul Watts makes his views known
PAGE 20
Mali or bust in African adventure TWO BANDS of Costa Blanca adventurers hit the road on Monday
SOUTH EDITION
14 - 20 JANUARY 2011
PAGE 8
Smoking ban fetches mixed results
Good weather keeps the smoking law at bay
SPAIN IMPLEMENTED the new smoking ban on 2nd January this year, so far producing mixed results. Thanks to a very understanding government, who no doubt suffered hangovers on New Year’s day, the official ‘Prohibido Fumar’ commenced on January 2nd, giving the country time to adjust to its new lifestyle. Visiting restaurants, coffee shops and supermarkets, the overall consensus so far has been a lack of interest, with more interest in “the sunny weather” holding out. Joanne of Ricardos in Guardamar
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by Zara Menhennet claims, “The weather seemed to change the same day as the ban and with everyone staying outside we have not yet seen a difference in trade.” Another nearby restaurant had a different opinion of the smoking ban. Mario Perlaza of El Raso Restaurante stated, “We did not allow smoking indoors before and all smoking was outside only. For us nothing has changed.” Moving further afield, I visited a
quaint bar in La Marina where a group of residents were enjoying coffee. Amongst them were Phyllis Hone, a smoker and Rita Cable, a non-smoker: “I don’t mind going outside,” declared Phyllis, “It’s nice to stretch your legs every now and again and I’ve always had to do it as the smoker amongst us.” Rita however was one of the first encounters I found that felt a change since the ban: “It’s nice not to be sitting in smoke. In a place like this (Bar Stop) it’s so small it gets smoky very quickly.” One notable point that has come to
light so far is that the worse hit appears to be the Spanish establishments. Cafetería Varo’s in Benijofar, located in the high street and on the corner to the Tuesday market, has felt the hit hard: “Far worse,” was the immediate response I received when I asked if there had been any effect on business in the cafe. “Consumption has dropped and people don’t stay. They can’t smoke inside and it is cold outside so they come in, have a coffee and go.” continued on page 3