Hands off Spain's smoke-free law!
A grassroots movement in Spain has launched a global campaign to defend the country's smoke-free law.
Called Don't Touch the Law, the campaign is in reaction to the proposal from the builders of the planned EuroVegas casino that smoking be allowed in casinos. The campaign was launched by ¡Porque nosotros sí!, a collection of more than 260 organisations.
The casino, to be built in Spain's capital Madrid by US billionaire Sheldon Adelson, will be part of a massive gambling and conference centre. The first stage is scheduled to open in 2017.
"The Spanish Government has stated that it will not change the smoke-free law. But as long as the threat of EuroVegas exists, the risk of the rollback of Spain's law continues," says Joseba Zabala Galán, the campaign's coordinator.
Madrid's Regional President Ignacio Gonzalez recently said, "the smoking issue is also a matter for central government. It is working on it and will come up with a solution in the next few months, with a chance for restricted smoking," reported The Guardian newspaper.
Nearly two years old, the current Spanish law replaced one that allowed smoking at the discretion of the owners of hospitality premises, and was supported by the tobacco industry. The new law allows no exceptions to smoke-free spaces.
"The continuity of the new Spanish smoke-free model is not only vital to Spain but also to the entire global tobacco control movement, since the use of this model has already been adopted by other countries," adds Joseba.
Promoters of EuroVegas say it will create tens of thousands of jobs over 18 years. But Joseba says economic concerns should not trump health concerns.
"Spain is experiencing a financial crisis but public health must prevail over shady business. People in Spain know that creating tax havens is corruption. Creating legal havens for smoking is also corruption," Joseba said.
