www.elpais.com
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2011
ENGLISH EDITION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE
The fears of the hospitality sector that the recently introduced stricter smoking ban would sound a death knell for business have proved unfounded, according to a Metroscopia survey conducted for EL PAÍS. Just 15 percent of more than a thousand people quizzed said they would go to bars and restaurants less frequently than before the eight-day old ban came into effect, with 75 percent saying it would make no difference and 10 percent revealing the absence of smoke would encourage them to go out more.
The intention to eschew bars is more prevalent among smokers (43 percent) than non-smokers and recent quitters (three percent). The ban itself enjoys broad support, with 62 percent of those surveyed in agreement, compared to 37 percent against. Overall, 72 percent of Spaniards are non-smokers
