No fumar

last updated 8 January 2015

Madrid

Spain this week became the latest European country to ban smoking in most workplaces. The government said the measure was necessary because smoking-related illnesses are the leading cause of death in Spain, even though less than one-third of Spaniards smoke. As of Jan. 1, it is illegal to smoke in offices, hospitals, schools, and malls, and all bars and restaurants larger than 1,000 square feet must have nonsmoking sections. Since most Spanish bars are tiny, though, the new ban won’t affect night life for many smokers.