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Date Published: 09/02/2023
ARCHIVED - Ban on smoking outside bars may be made permanent in Valencia region
The anti-smoking measures which were originally introduced to reduce Covid infections could be here to stay
![<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Ban on smoking outside bars may be made permanent in Valencia region](https://murciatoday.com//images/articles/23/02/2005901__11675958072_large.jpg)
The president of the Generalitat Valenciana, Ximo Puig, has stated that his government will analyse the ban on smoking on the terraces of the catering industry and will hold talks between the Ministry of Health and representatives of the sector to see if it can be prolonged indefinitely.
In comments this Tuesday, Puig said he believed that “great reflection” is needed to reduce tobacco consumption and “protect the health of citizens as much as possible”.
Smoking on the terraces of bars and restaurants in the Valencia region was originally banned as a Covid-19 preventative measure, but now it may be made permanent as a way of reducing cigarette smoking amongst the general populace.
Asked whether the ban on smoking in terraces will be maintained, Puig said, “At the time, it was a very reasonable ban in terms of the fight against the pandemic”.
“At the moment, it will have to be analysed,” he said, while confirming that he advocated “maximum protection of citizens’ health.”
“All professionals involved in lung diseases are warning us that the decline in tobacco use has stalled. Therefore, we have to think very carefully: we must protect the health of citizens as much as possible,” he stressed.
“Last Saturday we celebrated Cancer Day, and one of the most positive effects in reducing cancer is to put an end to the use of tobacco,” he continued.
The president said he “understands” the criticisms from bar owners that such measures would unfairly affect their businesses and promised to hold talks with representatives from the catering sector about this issue.
“I believe that there should be a full relationship between the hotel and catering industry and the Regional Ministry of Health, but from the point of view of health and collective responsibility, the most important thing is health.”
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