English in Madrid

Image created by Chat GPT Spanish government moves to ban smok ing on bar terraces Tobacco law would also prohibit minors from us ing vapes and stop sale of single-use electronic cigarettes The Spanish government has approved a draft tobacco law that would ban smoking and vaping on bar and restaurant terraces, prohibit minors from using vapes and related products, and end the sale of single-use electronic cigarettes. The legislation, which was signed off by the cabinet on Tuesday morning, is intended to “reinforce protections on people’s health and to adapt the law to consumption patterns and to the tobacco-product market”, according to the health ministry. Under the proposed law, electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches , herbal products, shisha pipes and devices used to heat tobacco and other substances would be treated the same as conventional cigarettes. Their use would be banned in enclosed public spaces and in outdoor areas such as bar terraces, stadiums, sports centres,...

Image Source Video vocabulary : Shops Banned From Displaying Cigarettes Tobacco has been banned from displays in shops as the latest anti-smoking law comes into effect in England. The new rules mean all cigarettes and tobacco products will be kept hidden behind screens or under the counter in large shops and supermarkets. Vocabulary : a display - to come into effect - to hide (hid, hidden) - a counter - appealing (adj) - to close down - aimed at - smoking rates - to discourage - to take up (a habit) - a range of measures - vending machines - to scrap - overall (adj) - a razor blade - a battery - to encourage - a brand - to carry on - Source: Sky News Do you think they should introduce an similar measure in Spain? Why / why not?

Last cigarette... airport charges smokers for that last minute drag A final cigarette before that flight? It comes with a price tag at Belfast International Airport. Smoking is a real drag at the airport where smokers must pay £1 to smoke a cigarette in a designated area. It is thought to be the first airport in the UK to introduce such a charge . Smokers are asked to put a coin into a machine which opens doors to a special smoking area. It already costs £1 to drop travellers at the airport. There is another £1 fee for a pack of plastic bags to get through security. Entrance to the special smoking area costs £1. The airport said it was responding to customer demand and the fee was covering the cost of building the smoking area. But two passengers - Mark and Phillip - believe the airport is exploiting smokers' pre-flight cravings . "I've been to other airports and I've never had to pay," said Mark. "You had to pay £1 into a machine an...

Source: Possessed Photography on Unsplash   Video is no longer available. Spain’s smokers have a New Year’s resolution: quit lighting up . And they didn’t have much of a choice in the matter- Spain’s nationwide smoking ban forced them to put out their butts in public areas. NY1 News explains where the smoke was cleared. “Spain says ‘adios’ to smoking in most indoor public places. The country introduced a tough anti-smoking law today that prohibits lighting up in bars, restaurants, casinos and airports. Children's outdoor playgrounds and areas around hospitals and schools are also off limits to smokers.” Spain is known for its quintessential cafe culture. But owners might stop serving the “tapas” and “cervezas” if there are no customers to stick around for another smoke. CNN visited Madrid to catch the reaction of cafe owners and their regulars. REPORTER: “Spain's hotel and restaurant federation warns of a 10 percent drop in business and tens of thousands of job...

THE Netherlands has become the first country in Europe to overturn its smoking ban. A new liberal government is to allow smoking, though only in small owner-run bars with no other staff. Here one of the Dutch campaigners, from the Foundation To Save Small Bar Owners, explains why he is so pleased with the change : We had a blanket ban on smoking brought in here in 2008. It unfairly attacked small bar owners who couldn't afford to build outdoor smoking areas. And small bars, or pubs as we call them too, are a huge part of Dutch life. There are more than 3,000 of them. So two smokers' rights organisations decided to join forces with the bar owners. We felt it was a bad law. I know of many bars that never even put their ashtrays away. But now it is official and people are delighted. The latest polls say between 70 and 80 per cent of Dutch people are behind this partial lifting of the ban. This is great news for small bars and the common man. Lower-class pe...

Source: Pawel Czerwinski en Unsplash Ash Scotland calls for a ban on smoking in vehicles An anti-smoking charity has called for a consultation on banning smoking in vehicles in Scotland. Ash Scotland made the call, along with 32 other recommendations, as part of a strategy to tackle "Scotland's biggest killer". The charity said the change would highlight the impact of second-hand smoke on others. However, the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association said such a move would be a " step too far ". Latest figures suggest a quarter of all adult deaths in Scotland can be attributed to smoking-related diseases. Setting out their "Beyond Smoke Free" document, Ash Scotland said the country had taken major steps to cut smoking in the past six years, but that more needed to be done. The document calls for a consultation on introducing legislation to ban smoking in vehicles and the development of "robust" intermediate and endpoint target...

Source: Julia Engel on Unsplash Norfolk workers might not be paid for cigarette breaks Workers could be forced to clock off when they go for a cigarette under proposals made by a Norfolk council. Breckland Council said the move aimed to make it fairer for individuals who did not smoke. Staff will not be paid in future for the time they take to have a cigarette if the proposals are given the go-ahead at a meeting on Wednesday. Simon Clark, from Smokers' lobby group Forest, said everyone was entitled to a break during work. He said: "Are they going to introduce clocking in and off for people who go on the internet, on Facebook, or people who want to have a cup of coffee? "I am sure there are some smokers who abuse the situation and go out too often but if that is happening that is a failure of management." 'Management failure' William Nunn, leader of the Conservative-run council , said: "We want to make sure this policy is fai...

Do you smoke? Would you like to give up? How many cigarettes do you smoke a day? Are you an ex-smoker? Was giving up easy? Are you ever tempted to have another cigarette? How do you stop yourself? What are your opinions on smoking? Does smoking bother you? Do you think there should be a complete ban in all public places? How can the young be discouraged from starting the habit? What do you think of the idea of putting graphic images on packets to show the consequences of smoking? Smoking legislation in Spain has not reduced the number of smokers The finding comes from the latest Eurobarometer research There are now more smokers in Spain than when the 2006 anti-smoking legislation came into effect. According to the Eurobarometer, 35% of Spaniards still smoke, going against the reduction seen in other parts of Europe, where the average number of smokers has fallen to 29%. It means that if the Government’s intention was to reduce the number of smokers with the current law, ...

Source: Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash Minister confirms Spain to implement extended smoking ban next year Restaurant terraces and bull rings will escape the harsher measures The Health Minister has confirmed that Spain is to introduce an extended smoking ban next year, when, from an as yet to be confirmed date, ‘No Smoking’ signs will be seen in all closed public places. The legislation which has been in place since 2006 currently permits the smaller bars and restaurants to choose whether to allow smoking on the premises or not; if they do allow it, they must provide a separate closed-off area for smokers. That option will no longer exist once the changes are brought in , but Minister Trinidad Jiménez has confirmed however that the stricter measures will not extend to open air premises, such as restaurant terraces and bull rings, where smoking will still be permitted. Europa Press reports that the Minister said in a radio interview with Rac1 on Monday that the government...