theibizasun
Smoking Clubs
Just over four months since the new anti-smoking laws came into effect, a loophole has been found which has created an unofficial list of establishments where one may ignore the law and smoke, with no questions asked. Smokers' Clubs have been created which may not employ staff, make a profit or even sell tobacco products, but they are required to have a charter and a registry of members. Before the ban took effect there were five such clubs in Madrid, three for cigar smokers and two for those who prefer a pipe. Since January two more clubs have opened in the city for cigarette consumers.
The Royal Smoking Club is one such establishment, which defines itself as the only pub-type smoking club in the capital. It opened at the beginning of April and already has 180 members, who are allowed to smoke all they want from 4.00 p.m. Until 3.00 a.m. the following morning, for the modicum monthly fee of €10.
The Club shares a premises, and ownership, with the bar next door, which means that smokers may purchase alcohol from the bar and then relax and enjoy the two, as no laws are being infringed. The Club is therefore not falling foul of the legislation, as technically they employ no staff and they do not sell alcohol.
The owner of the two premises, Guillermo Castañares, explained that the two establishments have a different legal status and that the Club is only open to registered smokers and not to the general public.
Some restaurants in Madrid also have undercover accommodation for smokers while they are eating. One reporter asked to make a reservation for a party of five; he then went on to enquire if they could be seated in a smoking area. The reply came back “yes, no problemâ€. Restaurants which invested a lot of money to bring their businesses in line with the law as it stood some years ago, of having to provide a separate area for smokers away from the other diners, are now using this space to sideline the law.
Maybe the discotheques in Ibiza will manage to create similar smokers' clubs for their clientele to get round a law which is bound to have a profound effect on their businesses during the summer. One can imagine the bizarre scene of disc jockeys announcing “smoking breaksâ€, when all action inside the discotheque comes to a standstill and a fair proportion of the clubbers disappear into the darkness to light up.
There was more bad news as far as prohibitions are concerned, after the Consell passed a law last week which will regulate the use of drugs in discotheques. Door staff will be ordered to keep a close watch on the clubbers to ensure that drugs are not introduced into night spots nor do they change hands once inside. A further point which will be included in the job description is that of prohibiting clubbers from taking drinks out into the street, and to ensure that no-one smokes on the premises. As from 2014 all ‘bouncers' will need to attend a course and pass an exam to obtain a licence to work.