Marbella restaurant

Andrew Linn, Culture Spain’s expert on food and wine in Spain, has just sent me notification about the forthcoming national revolt in Spain concerning the smoking ban in Spain imposed on the 2nd January 2011.  This is one fierce and bitter controversy that is clearly set to continue in Spain. 

However, what makes Andrew Linn’s very forceful reaction to the smoking ban in Spain important - is his point about the ‘nanny’ state and personal liberties.  Andrew barely smokes and so his ‘take’ on this law is far more important than that of just a self interested addict.  So, the smoking ban demonstration in Spain tomorrow (Friday the 14th January 2011) may have far reaching implications…  

Andrew says: 

The rebellion against the anti-smoking law is gathering momentum throughout Spain with a smoking ban demonstration in Spain occuring tomorrow.

I took a trip to the (now infamous) Marbella restaurant, Asador Guadalmina, yesterday, expecting it to be bursting with smokers but, amazingly, although it was busy it was no more so that any other bar at the hour of the aperitif, and only one person was smoking!  I signed the anti-smoking ban in Spain petition and proceeded to enjoy their famous pintxos.  This is a basque tapa that always consists of something on a piece of bread with a ‘banderilla’ stuck through it (the quails egg with red pepper was excellent, as was the smoked halibut with tomato).  There was nothing much wrong with the house Rioja either, and the prices are the same as anywhere else.

However, with regard to the smoking ban – in Lugo, two days ago, a bar owner asked someone who complained about a customer smoking to leave the bar!  This action was roundly condemned by spokesmen for the nanny state.

Meanwhile, in Gandia the town hall has rushed through a new by-law increasing the amount of pavement that can be taken up by bar tables, clearly to facilitate smoking outside.  In Valladolid a bar owner has called for a demonstration against the smoking ban in Spain law – although the local caterers’ association has criticised the move as too hasty.

But the good news is…….

 ……. using the social networks such as Facebook, demonstrations against the smoking ban in Spain have been called for every Spanish town and village tomorrow, Friday, at 1230 in front of the town hall. 

Even the Spanish authorities have admitted that the biggest problem they face with getting this undemocratic law accepted is the sheer hostility spreading like a virus on social networking sites.

So, see you tomorrow in front of your local town hall – even if you are a non-smoker.  Personal liberties and human rights are not to be trifled with. 

So eat your hearts out you faint-hearted smokers of Britain, Ireland and other well-on-the-way-to-becoming-total-nanny-state countries!!!

Of course, both Andrew and I would be interested to hear what you have to say.  Regardless of the smoking issue, have personal liberties been infringed – and is Spain fast becoming a ‘nanny’ state like the rest of Europe?  Maybe you think that this would be a good thing?

RELEVANT INFO:  See Spanish Food and Wine and smoking ban too drastic by half!