Prohibit Fumar

On my last visit a couple of years back, Spain (or at least a part of it, namely Catalunya) made an impression for having the need to specify prohibition of use of illegal substances in public spaces. As a New Year's resolution, the country has joined several other European neighbors in the fight against smoking of tobacco in those same venues used by the public.

I won't dwell on the health benefits of reducing second hand smoke, however, I will reflect on the economic downside of the huge drop of bars' revenue as seen on CNN. 'Tis the season to be jolly as a popular folk song reminds us. There is no merriness inside Spanish bars this holiday season, however. Since the legislation has gone this far, one can only suspect that the next smoking ban would target el botellón. And then... all matadors will break loose!

Spain's amicable neighbor Italy, apparently among those already under the public smoking ban, has decided to take a slightly less controversial approach to the European trend of the January 1st prohibition. Instead of banning another vice such as increasing the legal drinking age from 16 as it is currently the case or a sin like taking God's name in vain (or blatantly calling God a pig or a dog), the current threat is aimed at the arch enemy of all Italians - the plastic bag. Those fashion paper bags must have a pretty strong union. All I can do is hope that they're all recyclable.