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SMOKING - BUSINESSES REPORTED

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Mark Nolan / 2011-01-15 12:01:24

In this early period of the change in the law relating to smoking in public places which came into force on 2nd January, and following direct complaints from members of the public, the consumer association FACUA has filed for 234 denuncias to be issued against businesses and organizations across Spain.

This batch of cases is broken down into areas, in which 9 were issued in Asturias, 23 in Castilla-La Mancha, 52 across the Comunidad Valenciana, 15 in Extremadura, 14 in the Islas Baleares y 117 in Madrid as well as 3 in Ceuta and 1 in Melilla.

This now brings the total number of complaints filed for investigation to 376, of which 246 are bars, restaurants or hotels, 35 health centres or hospitals and 19 are other public facilities.
The consumer association had over a thousand complaints from members of the public in the first two days of the new law and has vowed to support the public in enforcing the law to its full power.

Despite the opposition of the law by a small number of businesses, the majority of the Spanish population believe it to be a good move by the current government in attempting to safeguard their health. Medical staff have also reported a huge increase in the number of people seeking support to stop smoking all together.