For weeks, government officials have been advising Spaniards calling in with queries about the tough new anti-smoking law, which came  into effect on January 1st. 2006 One question, however, defeated them: “What about the ’cigarette afterwards’ for customer or prostitute in brothels?” This one has puzzled officials who still have to clarify the law. On the one hand, a room inside a brothel is a “private space”. On the other, it is a “workplace” where a tough smoking ban now applies across Spain.

Spain once regarded as a smokers paradise is turning into one of the strictest anti-smoking regions of Europe, banning smoking rooms in all places of work and public buildings. The new law effectively allows smoking only in the open air or at home and, with strict restrictions in bars and restaurants.

What about video booths in sex shops? The answer: “The ban applies, because this is an area open to the public.” What about bull-fighting arenas? “No ban, as long as the arena is open-air.”

The 1st. of January saw ashtrays rounded up and removed from all government and other offices. From now on, anyone wanting to smoke must do so out on the street.

And major companies like Telefonica have warned employees that this will be possible only during their official breaks. Restaurants more than 100 square metres in area must now have smoker and non-smoker areas clearly marked and in eight months at the latest must have installed dividing walls.

Owners of smaller restaurants and bars must simply decide whether they will be smoking or non-smoking establishments. The main association representing Spain's licensed trade says around 90 per cent of bars have opted to be for smokers. However, if the remaining 10 per cent find that the non-smoking policy is proving profitable, then their number can easily double by the end of the coming year, a spokesman said. In hotels, around 70 per cent of rooms will be designated non-smoking areas.

A special exemption rule has been made for prisons, where inmates clearly are unable to go out onto the street to smoke. Smoking will be allowed in designated cells and banned in the rest, while inmates will be categorized as either smokers, non- smokers or “tolerant passive smokers”.

The new law applies throughout Spain, except for Majorca and the other Balearic Islands. The regional government in Palma has simply refused to accept it, claiming its own law is already even stricter. Here, smoking and non-smoking zones are already in place even in smaller bars and restaurants. But the Madrid government is unconvinced about their effectiveness, as there will be no strict rule about building dividing walls.

Don't worry, you'll see plenty of signs like this....

Permitado fumar - Es permit fumar - Smoking permitted