Despite bans, smoking increases in Spain

At the beginning of last year, harsh smoking bans were imposed on Spaniards. This included no smoking allowed in offices, bars, shops and restaurants.

Initially, a report stated that due to the bans, 600,000 smokers had given up smoking last year, when smoking in enclosed public spaces such as bars, restaurants and offices was banned. However, according to Costa News, a new study released last week has shown that this is not the case. Smoking is actually on the increase in Spain. The Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (Separ) ran a survey, which indicates that 17.6 per cent of Spaniards smoke, up 0.5 per cent from the previous study, in 2007. The study also shows an increase in the number of children from 13 to 16 years who have taken up the habit. According to the study, there is one positive side-effect to the smoking bans in enclosed public spaces - and this has been the reduction of people exposed to second-hand smoke. This particular figure has dropped from 38% in 2007 to 21% in the latest survey. There is still concern, however, about second-hand smoke as more than 50% of children are exposed to this in their homes.