the rule of law, spanish style

One year after the law banning smoking in all public places came into effect in Spain, I spent new year´s eve in a Spanish hotel. This hotel is located in a small town known for its water therapies, and the hotel itself specializes in such therapies.

At the entrance, a big post warns all visitors that smoking is not permitted. Walking inside, however, one soon finds people smoking in the bar. A closer look and you will find more people smoking in one of the hotel´s hallrooms. After dinner, people were abundantly smoking in the hall of the restaurant. In the showroom were the reveillon took place, smoking was as free as drinking.

After midnight, one security guard at the hotel´s reception was smoking his first cigarette of the New Year. In no case did I see anyone protesting against the violation of the law. Outside temperatures were close to zero.