What is the situation for people who want to avoid smokers in Spain? Do restaurants have non-smoking sections that really work? How about hotels, museums, etc.

Never tried to avoid smokers in Spain, but it looks tough.Many people smoke & its not the kind of place to try to enforce this type of regulation.Best idea is to eat/drink at a table outside, fotunately this shouldn't be a prob in Spain! <BR>Museums are OK.Some hotels have non-smoking rooms. <BR>Keep sending the Virginia tobbacco, our kids love it!

Dan, I swear to god everyone smokes in Spain! I saw a nursing mom who also happened to be pregnant smoking! Now that was a pretty picture! We spent alot of time in outdoor cafes like Frank suggested, but every now and then you have to venture inside, try to sit near a window if at all possible, and do go to Botins if you happen to be in Madrid! Have fun!

Everyone smokes in Spain! I am an adamnant non smoker, but it is worth the stink to enjoy this beautiful country. You do spend much time outdoors, which helps, or try and get somewhat remote tables. A story, in Sevilla, we were sitting outdoors at a tapas bar in late afternoon, when some locals sat at our table as they were waiting for theirs, of course one of them proceeds to l9ight up right in our faces! As we were being kind, sharing our table I asked politely "no fume por favor" and offered him a glass of sangria from our pitcher to compensate. He nicely complied. Just try to situate yourself directly out the brunt of the smoke and be tolerant. Also the museums are technically non-smoking although I did see staffers light up in the reina sofia in the hall. And people smoke in the bathroom stalls! Disgusting and like high school!

Between Paris and Barcelona I found that the people in Paris smoked much more than Barcelonians. I found that Parisians seem to smoke continuously throughout the meal while Barcelonians smoked at the end. I remember numerous people smoking on the metro platforms in Paris, not that many on the metro platforms in Barcelona. If you go out to a club / disco in either city - take a gas mask. My throat was raw the next day. I find that I'm not bothered by Europeans smoking as much as I am by Americans. (I haven't been to London yet - I know they're notorious smokers) Maybe Europrean smokers are more sophisticated or aware of their habit while Amercian smokers seem to think its their right to pollute - not to mention litter. Fun facts - it takes 10 years for a single cigarette butt to disintigrate; carbon monoxide has a 4 times higher affinity rate to hemoglobin than oxygen (in other words, smokers are suffocating their bodies and internal organs).

It's true there is NO non smoking area in Spain. The customs guys even smoke while standing at their posts in Madrid! <BR> <BR>Although I'm not a smoker it never really bothers me. I can see where it might bother someone with health issues.