500 years ago Christopher Columbus brought tobacco to Spain and today one of the toughest restrictions for smoking has become effective throughout the country. Four years ago a ban in Spain prohibited smoking at work and today the ban extends to enclosed public places.
The more than 300,000 restaurants and bars throughout the country will be most effected and many fear a further drop in business. Many have been suffering financially already due to the country’s profound economic crisis.
The country hopes to reduce the 50,000 tobacco-related deaths a year it sees with this strict ban. The ban puts the nation in line with similar bans already in place in England, France and Italy.
