If you want to smoke - simply visit Spain

Spanish government imposed a ban on public smoking almost three years ago. Since then smoking should be banned in all public places including airports, universities, offices, restaurants and other enclosed areas. However, the air in Spanish restaurants is still thick with smoke.

"Have you ever been to Spain? Oh, my, what a gorgeous country, the sights are breath-taking; the meals are larger-than-life. If I could choose where to live, I would definitely prefer Spain, it's like a Paradise down to Earth."

That is just one of thousands comments one can hear about Spain. And that is definitely y the impression you get about Spain chatting to just everyone who has ever been in Spain. All those people speak about the sights, the food and beverages, the weather, the nice people and the friendly atmosphere in general.

However, there is one little thing they all seem to forget to tell about: the thick smoke clouds.

As it is written in every tourist guide Spanish government has approved the public smoking ban in 2006. However, being in Spain you would never believe it. While traveling across Spain from Bilbao to Cadiz through Madrid, Granada, Barcelona, Valencia and other magnificently beautiful places, you will face difficulties finding a non-smoking place to have a meal in. It may sound astonishing, but in fact almost all restaurants and cafes are smoke-full, not smoke-less.

Well, you would be even more surprised to hear the explanations: amid a massive wave of public discontent and indignation the government made an amendment to the public smoking ban which gives restaurant and café owners a choice: they can either name their restaurant "smoke-free," or put outside a sign notifying customers that "inside this place smoking is permitted."

According to this regulation there should be a clear demarcation between smoking and smoke-free areas, however in those small bars with tiny window closed during winter it does not make any difference.

All these options make Spain the most smokers-friendly country where a public smoking ban is imposed since many owners prefer not to loose their precious smoking customers rather than make their establishment smoke-free and wait hours for non-smokers to arrive. It is simply unprofitable.

Thus, I think for smokers it can be another reason to visit Spain because here they can finally relax in peace and quiet without having to worry about the punishment for public smoking. There are millions of tourists in Spain and the majority comes from countries with rigorous smoking bans.