The amendment to the Anti-Tobacco Law prohibiting smoking in all enclosed public spaces is now set to take effect by January 1st 2011, earlier if an agreement can be reached within the Congress of deputies.
The reform does not include changes to Article 8b, which specifies that the hotels, hostels and other similar establishments can provide suitably isolated smoking areas covering up to 30% of the premises.
Smoking will still be allowed in open public areas such as terraces and sports stadiums. It is possible that establishments may be allowed to sell tobacco in order to avoid harming the economic situation of such places but the said tobacco may not be consumed on the premises.