theibizasun
Smoking
In the short space of time since the new anti-smoking law was introduced at the beginning of the year, sales of chewing gum containing nicotine and electronic cigarettes have almost doubled. Electronic cigarettes have a filter incorporated which simulates a real cigarette, and users have the sensation that they are smoking tobacco, whereas all they are in fact doing is absorbing water vapour. Strangely, the nicotine patches, which are also used as a substitute for tobacco, have not proved as popular.
The President of the Balearic Pharmaceutical Association, Antoni Reál, commented that it is quite normal at this time of year for sales to rise, as people try to give up the vice as one of their New Year resolutions, but this years' rise has been spectacular. He added that approximately 50 per cent of the people who try these methods do eventually succeed, although the most important factor remains willpower.
Last Friday a stand was set up in the entrance hall of the Can Misses Hospital to exchange cigarettes for a piece of fruit. Some 50 people were present to make the swap and to receive detailed information on how to give up smoking. Antonio Cascales is in charge of the section dealing with nicotine dependence at the Hospital and claimed “the interchange of cigarettes for fruit is really only symbolic; our main task is to advise people who really want to stop smoking and encourage them to visit their family doctor. One should not think of smoking as a habit, but as an illness which needs to be curedâ€. He pointed out that, without professional help, only five per cent of the people who attempt to stop actually succeed.
He admitted that many members of staff, especially the females, in the hospital are smokers; up to 80 per cent of new smokers on the island are young women, which is much higher than the national average. He went on to say that one should not gain weight as a result of stopping smoking “but, of course, if you exchange twenty cigarettes for twenty slices of cheese or twenty chocolates, you are going to gain weightâ€. He continued that it was natural to put on a few pounds due to the change of metabolism, but that with a well balanced diet and exercise, these ‘few pounds' would only be temporary. Slavery to tobacco has become, for the majority of people, an addiction, both psychologically and physically, as the cigarette is observed as a ‘friend' during most of their lives, leaving a sensation that you have lost your best friend.
One of the pamphlets being offered to the public contains a message “if you smoke not only will you probably die earlier, but the last few months or even years, can be agonyâ€. During the next few weeks this stand will be visiting all the other health centres on the island.
Smoking Laws
During the first ten days of the new anti-smoking laws, Ibiza Town Hall received 50 petitions from bars, cafeterias and restaurants to be able to use pavements and terraces to offer a place for their customers to smoke. Normally the Town Hall concedes some 400 licences of this nature each year, so 50 applications since the 2nd of January is an eighth of the annual demand for these permits. According to the Tourism and Commerce Councillor, Vicent Ferrer, “we want to make it easy for these establishments to use public domain, but in an orderly fashion which does not impede the passage of pedestriansâ€. He commented that, in the case of pavements with a width in excess of two-and-a-half metres, owners were permitted to use 75 centimetres to place ashtrays, stools or heaters. In the case of narrower pavements, each request will be studied individually, but the free passage of pedestrians will always be a priority.
Ferrer stated that several businesses had already occupied public streets, without asking for prior permission, and he urged them to do so, as during the winter there is no charge, but they need to have their paperwork in order. Two years ago the Town Hall reduced the amount of tax which needed to be paid on each square metre, and only charge during the months between June and September, although in the first month a discount of 20 per cent is applicable.
He went on to say that the Local Police will be visiting premises to advise the owners of the need to apply for a licence, and sufficient time will be given for them to react.