In Spain, a nationwide ban on tobacco use in public places went into effect Sunday, making it illegal to smoke in office buildings, shopping malls, public transport, and other indoor facilities.
From now on, bars and restaurants larger than 100 square meters must have non-smoking areas, while smaller facilities can decide whether to allow smoking. They must, however, clearly state whether their place is smoke-free.
The new law also extends a ban on advertising cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Airports, hotels, theaters, cinemas and other establishments will also have to designate and separate areas for smoking.
Although Spaniards are among the heaviest smokers in Europe, latest polls show more than 70 percent of those questioned support the new smoking laws.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.