Happy new year to everyone to all Madridman friends and readers!
I can't believe it, people are respecting this ban. I was expecting people not to obey the new law, at least at pubs or nightclubs.
Last friday I went out in Madrid center, the city was crowded as usual. Wow! incredible! there was not smoke anywhere, at tapas bars or pubs. For me it was wonderful that I could breath fresh air while listening to live music with a pint in my hand. In addition, when I came home my clothes didn't smell of tobaco it used to, nice.
I agree with the others that it's a law too radical, problably there should be a third way, but in fact the past law allowed small bars to choose being smoking or not smoking, while big ones must had separated areas. The result, the vast majority of small bars chose to be smoking, at nightclubs with separated areas nobody respected the restrictions and smoke was everywhere, and finally only a few restaurants were smoke free. A pity, things shouldn't be like this.
Considering that two thirds of Spanish population don't smoke, probably bars will get a lot of new clients who never visited them, and be sure, smokers will complain a lot but they'll keep going to the bars.
Edited by Valenciano_en_Madrid (01/11/11 04:55 PM)
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Damián