Smoking in restaurants

[Portofan]

Hi!

A recent post on a diner smoking in a PP restaurant, made me recall two recent experiences in the last few years.

Two years ago in Cap de Canto we were fortunately separated by a table from a woman who chain smoked all through her meal, quite oblivious to the effect on and reaction of other diners. And in a small cosy restaurant.

And then last year in Laroc sitting back to back with a couple, outside, the woman smoked one after another throughout with mini breaks in between. Another night in the same place , ho was there and "at it" again. Totally and blissfully unaware of the family close by in whose direction the smoke was drifting. Not too good for the three boys 8, 10, 12.

Fortunately in Scotland we have the ban now and what a pleasure to be able to eat and drink in peace in pubs and restaurants.

Spain of course does not have the same regulations although notices can be seen permitting smoking in some establishments.

But hey smokers!:eek

Sorry!:\

If I want a meal or to go in for a pint I should do it at home!!:rollin :rollin

Well That's what they'd tell you!:x :lol

 

[Cocoa07]

Smoking In Restaurants

Really sorry - but feel a rant coming on...

I am not a smoker and never have been but I don't have a problem with most smokers - the lady you are talking about just seems incredibly rude and I don't think that she represents all smokers.

I come from a family of smokers, in fact out of 6 people on our annual holiday only two don't smoke - me and my daughter.

What I really detest is the nanny state that we seem to live in. Why is it that people are allowed to go out and get bladdered but others generally think it is just amusing. I have never heard of someone beating another up after 10 cigarettes! Give them 10 pints of course and it could be a whole different ball game...

I think that smoking and no smoking areas in bars/restaurants is fine and if an owner decides to make their establishment no smoking, then that is fine too as it is their decision - but why the blanket ban? Can we not make our own decisions any more.

People who don't like smoking are not forced to work in bars and restaurants - choose a different job or choose a place that is no smoking.

I accept that some areas should be no smoking especially around children as they are too young to make a decision.
I also totally abhor people that blow smoke in my face - but that is generally because they are ignorant.

I always thought that we had the right to choose what we wanted to do in this country.
I would far rather that the government put more effort into dealing with real criminals rather than trying to go after the softer targets of smokers. More children and adults seem to be being shot or stabbed on a daily basis(two incidents on the news this morning) but bravo to our brave government who got rid of smoking in public places!!

Plus, if everyone gives up smoking, who is going to pay all that extra tax..

Ok rant over - I will go back into my box.

 

[pollensa]

Re: Smoking In Restaurants

Ok, Cocoa - rant over.

This forum is about living & holidaying in Mallorca. Please can you keep posts to those topics.

Thank you for your co-operation.,

Webmaster

 

[Lala70w]

Re: Smoking In Restaurants

Yes Portofan - I wondered about what the rules are in Mallorca? We were in Italy the year before last and they seemed to have the same regulations as Scotland. :rolleyes You were allowed to smoke at an open air bar/ restaurant but not under a covered awning or inside.

We stopped at the Bar Imperial one night for a coffee after dinner and got all comfy when a couple of heavy smokers came in - we were shocked that they were allowed to smoke inside - I know that is daft but with the ban in Scotland you forget!! :lol

 

[Cocoa07]

Re: Smoking In Restaurants

Sorry Pollensa!

Won't do it again..

 

[Marsha]

Re: Smoking In Restaurants

Me and my partner both smoke, much to the annoyance of our daughter, but definitely wouldn't dream of chain smoking through a meal and we try to position ourselves, fags and ashtrays to cause as little offence to any other diners as possible. We can and do manage to abstain from smoking long enough to enjoy the food at la Fortalesa, which is no-smoking, and would always only smoke outside... just something we're used to doing even before the smoking ban here.

However, I too have a peev about the blanket ban here, I stood in the doorway of a building that had a no-smoking here sign just to light my cigarette. The smell of stale wee nearly knocked me sideways... now what's that about? I'm not allowed to light a fag, but it's quite alright for someone else to have a pee????

 

[snowy2007]

Re: Smoking In Restaurants

This sums it all up

Stub it out in Spain

Every year thousands of people give up smoking, if not for the obvious health reasons but also because it burns a hole in your pocket. Some might be motivated by the thought of using the extra cash for flying back and forwards to Spain during the year. I am sure that some might even find that if they put away the money that they would have spent on cigarettes; within a few years they could have the deposit for another off-plan!

With careful planning and a bit of research by the end of February, you could use the funds to fly out to Spain to check up on the progress of your current off plan investment. However, for the newly ex-smoker, two months is still early days and Spain, whose national sport is smoking, might offer too much temptation.

We have all been there in a Spanish restaurant, savouring a great fish dish, when your swordfish is suddenly infused with essence of tobacco. It doesn’t matter how you position yourself on your seat, try moving but there’s no escape. Why? Because it’s all around. Everybody is doing it, puffing in synchrony. Cough and wave all you like, nobody cares. You’re in Spain where smoking is a “healthy” part of socialising and the unsociable, non-smoker freak is ignored.

However, times are changing. Or rather, new laws, which came into effect on the 1st January 06, are enforcing changes. For a start, after years of leaving the bank smelling like an ashtray, smoking has been banned in the workplace. Those of you bothered by smoke when eating out take your tape measure out with you and make sure you book tables in restaurants bigger than 100 square metres in size. It is in bars and restaurants of this size, that owners are legally obliged to create designated non-smoking areas.

Again, those of you disgusted by the stench of smoke which tends to be absorbed by hair and clothes will be relieved to know that the ban has been extended to lifts, cash machines, bus stations, trains and ferries.

The objective of the law is to protect the rights of those once ignored non-smokers and support those trying to quit. Those who break it face fines of up to 600 Euros. Nevertheless, this calls for a cultural change as smoking is an integral part of the Spanish lifestyle and is not yet considered unfashionable as it is in the UK and US. Also, bearing in mind that they lived under a dictatorship for many years, the Spanish are hardly going to take kindly to being told what to do again.

So, if you new ex-smokers are planning to come out in a couple of month’s time I can’t guarantee that Spain will be temptation free, although you might stand a better chance of avoiding it than in the past. Just don’t be tempted by the cheap cartons!

 

[smiddy]

Sorry, the idea of a smoking/non smoking area just doesn't work, have restaurants installed a invisible screen were it stops? I've suffered, on many ocassions from chain smokers sitting next to me, to the extent the first thing i look for when i enter a restaurant is look at the tables for the dreaded 2x 20'packs with the lighter on top, at that point i leave. Non Scots have proably not seen the figures for the year long ban. 17% less heart attacks. Need i say any more?

 

[spudbag]

Just back from two weeks of playing Russian roulette in restaurants with me and Mrs Spudbags 4 month old family addition.

You try so hard to find a table where there's no evidence of smoking (and where any squeaks from the little Tattie won't upsrt fellow diners) only for two tables of chimneys to arrive just as you're about to tuck into the garlic prawns and start puffing like they're auditioning for the Severn Valley Railway.

I know smokers are a dying breed in the UK, and I understand its different in PP, but a little more consideration is all I'm after.

It's sad when your decision on whether to have a dessert is based on the habits of your nearest neighbours.

 

[Portofan]

Hi Spudbag!

Great post!:eek

We get a smile and a laugh, and the compulsive smokers get shown up in their true colours, not even any consideration for the baby.

Like when you're in the pub for a drink, as a non smoker, and the smokers' attitude to you is "what on earth(or less polite?) are you doing in here for a drink?? This is for smokers and drinkers!!":hat

Porto

 

[sylvia]

Don't tar all smokers with the same brush please, we're not all inconsiderate.

 

[debz1]

I agree with sylvia! As a recent non smoker I am very aware of every smoker in a restaurant who lights up :rolleyes But not for the same reasons as most ..I'm just envious :lol Joking aside, since giving up I have never been aware of smoke being an issue.

I know when you have babies or young children you are very protective.But most of us grew up with smoking allowed in public places including cinemas and on planes.No one complained..it was just a part of life and we survived!

We all love PP and we're the first to complain when things change..lets not try and get them to stop smoking too :\

 

[griffo]

I think you will find that the ban on smoking will be spreading accross europe.

 

[Mark]

According to this link dev.ersnet.org/201-passive-smoking.htm

79,000 non smokers per year die of passive smoking in Europe.

Why should thousands of non smokers die as a result of this !

Mark.