Spain - hostelry sector to present 1 million signatures against smoking ban..

March 7, 2011 - Business owners in the hostelry sector say they expect to collect 1 million signatures in support of changes to Spain’s current legislation on smoking, which is double the amount which is needed to petition a debate on the matter by parliament.

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The extended smoking ban in force since January 2 this year bans smoking in all closed public spaces, and the sector maintains it has had a serious effect on their business.

The Andalucía Hostelry Federation, the FAH, told Europa Press on Monday that, in Andalucía, the owner of the now-notorious Asador Guadalmina in Marbella has collected 150,000 signatures. And in Córdoba province, the owner of a business in Cabra who is also opposed to the law, has collected 70,000.

It’s understood the petition will be sent to Madrid at the beginning of March.

The sector in the Basque Country met to discuss the situation in Bilbao on Sunday, and say they are considering stopping selling lottery tickets on their premises in protest. Another move would be to close down their establishments on May 22, when municipal and regional elections take place in Spain.

They claim their income has dropped by 15% since the ban came into effect.

Reference: Spain's hostelry sector say they will present 1 million signatures against smoking ban, typicallyspanish.com, 2/28/2011.

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