smoking in Madrid

[Lisa Dancy]

I am writing a paper about European smoking habits, and wondered if Spanish laws allow for the smoking of cigars or cigarettes in private clubs?

If so could you give me the names of any such clubs in Madrid please?

Thank you

Lisa

[Roger Warwick]

Hi Lisa,

Spain's anti-tobacco laws are arguably Europe's harshest. In theory, smoking is banned in all bars, cafés, restaurants and clubs. I suggest you check out this page for more detailed information :

http://www.ensp.org/spain

Best wishes, Roger.

http://www.GoMadrid.com

---------
Sent from my Galaxy Tab

On Nov 7, 2011 10:49 AM, "Lisa Dancy" <lda...@talk21.com> wrote:

[Mac]

It appears that smoking is still allowed in private clubs, and hotels
are allowed to designate up to 30% of their rooms as smoking? The new
legislation has come into force since we were last in Spain. Both I
and Mrs Mac will notice the difference, but for opposite reasons!
That is, if the new rules are observed/enforced. Are they?

[Roger Warwick]

Hi Mac,

I suppose the difference is what you call a private club, because the "Ley Antitabaco" certainly prohibits smoking in discotheques (it prohibits smoking in any enclosed public space).

The law does contemplate private smoking clubs, but they are not allowed to sell any products, have employees or make money in any way and have to be properly established as a private club, so they are certainly very different to what we would call nightclubs.

Hotels do indeed have that 30% rule.

Roger.
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[Mac]

Ha! I don't think I've ever been in a discotheque, and very many
years since I was in a nightclub. But what about the casinos (not the
gambling ones, but the local social clubs)? I sometimes frequent
those - has the smoke disappeared? (I should make it clear that I'm
the non-smoker).

On Nov 8, 1:49 pm, Roger Warwick <ro...@gomadrid.com> wrote:
> Hi Mac,
>
> I suppose the difference is what you call a private club, because the "Ley
> Antitabaco" certainly prohibits smoking in discotheques (it prohibits
> smoking in any enclosed public space).
>
> The law does contemplate private smoking clubs, but they are not allowed to
> sell any products, have employees or make money in any way and have to be
> properly established as a private club, so they are certainly very
> different to what we would call nightclubs.
>
> Hotels do indeed have that 30% rule.
>
> Roger.

> ---------------------------------------------------------------http://www.GoMadrid.com<http://www.gomadrid.com/> - Madrid City Guide for
> Touristshttp://www.LisbonApartments.com<http://www.lisbonapartments.com/> -
> Quality Lisbon Apartments for Touristshttp://about.me/roger.warwick- About me

> >http://groups.google.com/group/travelspain?hl=en.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Roger Warwick]

Hi Mac,

Non-gambling casinos? Can you give an example?

In any case, the law prohibits smoking in casinos, bingo halls and game halls so I doubt you'll find smoke in any kind of casino.

I've not personally experienced the situation, but the amount of people huddled round doorways of offices, bars and restaurants to smoke outside on the street makes me think that the law is being pretty well enforced.

Roger.

[Mac]

On Nov 11, 7:02 pm, Roger Warwick <ro...@gomadrid.com> wrote:
> Hi Mac,
>

> Non-gambling casinos? Can you give an example?

I can only conclude that was tongue-in-cheek! (pity you don't have
emoticons on here).

But others reading may not know that very many Spanish towns have a
'Casino' which is not a gambling den but a gathering place for locals,
with meeting rooms, a cafe and bar. Visitors are usually welcome, but
not frequent, judging by the surprised looks I've sometimes received.
The buildings are often of great architectural interest, inside and
out, and worth visiting for that alone. Actually, now that I think
about it, I've never had to be signed in by a member, so I suppose
they are 'public spaces' and covered by the ban.

Mac

[Roger Warwick]

Hi Mac,

It wasn't tongue in cheek, because I think those places are only called casinos in very small villages. I think most Spanish people would call them a "Centro social" or "Casa del Pueblo", rather than a casino. When you say casino to most Spanish people they'll immediately think of the same establishment that English-speakers would, and not a gathering place as you describe below.

If they are open to the public and sell products (and if there's a bar or cafe then that's obviously the case), then they're subject to the law and smoking will be prohibited.

Roger.

[Mac]

I'm fighting a rearguard action here! I've no doubt that nowadays the
word 'casino' will mean the same in Spain as it does throughout the
world, ie a place where you can lose serious money.

BUT www.casinodemadrid.es

Magnificent, eh? I think if I lived in Madrid I might even apply for
membership (but I doubt they'd have me)

The most impressive casino I've been in was in Murcia - grand sweeping
staircase, flying angels, busts and portraits of the founders, a major-
domo to show us round. Not seen any in the very small villages,
where there are centros sociales, usually with a 'hogar de
pensionistas' within. I've stuck my nose into one of two of those,
too, but they are not my cup of tea. Where will all the old codgers
go now to sit around and smoke their cigarillos and pipes (to get back
on topic)

On Nov 13, 2:36 pm, Roger Warwick <ro...@gomadrid.com> wrote:
> Hi Mac,
>

> It wasn't tongue in cheek, because I think those places are only called
> casinos in very small villages. I think most Spanish people would call them
> a "Centro social" or "Casa del Pueblo", rather than a casino. When you say
> casino to most Spanish people they'll immediately think of the same
> establishment that English-speakers would, and not a gathering place as you
> describe below.
>

> Roger.

[Roger Warwick]

:-)

They wouldn't have me either, I'm sure, but I console myself with Groucho Marx's famous phrase about private clubs.

Well, this is certainly not a non-profit organisation and one of the rooms is specifically for card games, so in theory smoking is prohibited, but what's the betting they'll find a loophole in the law to open up some sort of members-only room for smoking ? I'm certain of it!

Roger.

[Mac]

Um. I see that Google is denying access to my link. For those
wanting to savour the delights of the Casino de Madrid, cutting and
pasting the link into your web browser will work, or
http://www.casinodemadrid.es/nuevo/index.php just might