Smoking ban will not affect tourism

THE Government spokesperson, Joan Flaquer, yesterday said that the new no-smoking law, which will be in force on the islands as from tomorrow, will in no way affect the tourist trade. As from tomorrow people will not be able to light up a cigarette at work, in restuarants, shoping centres, banks, sports centres and all other inside establishments, and Joan Flaquer supports this move. He added that there are many other tourist destinations which have already imposed these smoking measures and “have not experienced any problems”.
The Balearic Islands will be the first Spanish region to introduce this law, Joan Flaquer said at yesterday's press conference. This law “is not restrictive” but it is a law which “takes into account the problems and illnesses associated with tabacco, not only for the consumers but also for the passive smokers”, Joan Flaquer said. Smokers must respect the rights of those people who do not want to live and work in smoke-filled places, he added. “I think that more and more people are becoming aware of the nuisance of smoking in closed-in places, such as hotels, bars and restuarants”.