Smoking fines generate more than €34k in Almeria

INSPECTORS of the three health districts in Almeria have opened 234 penalty cases during 2014 for breach of the smoking ban.

The smoking fines vary from individual fines for people smoking in prohibited areas, such as schools and health centres, to business owners who have not imposed the ban on their premises.

Inspections are carried out in response to direct complaints and at random by inspectors who not only check for smoking ban breaches but also for any other issues related to public health. Of the 234 cases, 80 were resolved positively and the Department of Health has raised €34,373 via fines.

Experts and scientific societies estimate that it costs the Spanish public and private health systems €15 million per year in treating diseases caused by smoking.

The prevalence of smoking in Almeria remains high with 42.9 per cent of men and 30.5 per cent of women smoking despite the anti-smoking legislation.

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