In 2005 the Spanish government banned smoking in most workplaces but still permits it in many bars cafe´s and restaurants.There is still a lot of secondary smoking going on in Spain.However the number of cancer related deaths in Spain has dropped by 1500 a year since the introduction of the smoking ban.Not all of the data is due to the introduction of the law.So says a new study from the Spanish Epidemiology Society( SEE).
They say that the law has helped but that consumption of cigarettes was already going down.They think only 600 of these saved lives is actually due to the law.They do sy that they feel the data is conservative because it was only based on deaths caused by heart disease and lung cancer whereas there are many other fatal illnesses caused by smoking.What the law has done is reduce the contamination of people to second hand smoke.They feel the majority of lives saved is down to those not having to smoke “passively”.If the government now has the courage to move forward with its ban of smoking in all public enclosed spaces then it could see the prevention of 1000 deaths in the bar/ restaurant industry.
It appears that 70% of non-smokers and 50% of smokers view the law as favourable.The research indicates support for the total ban in all public places.The government is saying that the legislation is taking longer than expected but will develop through the course of the year.
