The leader of Madrid's conservatives criticized the left's plan to ban smoking in outdoor bars and cafes

Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Madrid region, demanded evidence to support the proposed ban. Photo: John Imanol Reino/GTRES/Shutterstock

Madrid's conservative leader has criticized Spain's leftist government's plan to ban smoking in outdoor cafes and restaurants.

Spain's Health Ministry said this week it is considering a national ban on smoking in outdoor areas such as restaurant terraces and beaches, which could lead to a ban on lighting in the country's outdoor bars.

But Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Madrid region, demanded evidence to support the plan.

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Ms Díaz Ayuso, who rose to prominence as the capital's bars and nightclubs reopened at the start of the pandemic and is seen as the favorite in the next national battle for the leadership of the Right-wing People's Party, asked: «Where is the scientific research?» reports that prove that smoking on terrace bars is so harmful?

The 45-year-old noted that US cities such as New York have banned smoking in public places, but said they are being careless , «when it comes to marijuana and other drugs.»

Apparently sensing a new line of attack against the left-wing government, which she accuses of being infatuated with prohibitionism, Ms Díaz Ayuso tweeted a photo of alleged drug users on US streets with the caption: “But smoking was banned in terrace bars.”

Ms Diaz Ayuso said: “First of all, I ask for consistency because I see that many governments and health authorities are making great efforts against smoking, which does not seem bad to me if it is not liberticidal. And yet they are not working as hard to eliminate the use and consumption of many substances, all drugs and especially cannabis.”

A draft anti-smoking plan was drawn up by the previous government in 2021, but Monica Garcia, the health minister, said she wanted to return to the issue.

Monica Garcia, Spanish Ministry of Health The minister said she would take measures to prevent children from smoking. Photo: OLIVIER HOSLET/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

It includes restrictions on smoking in outdoor public places and could also include a ban on smoking in cars for vulnerable passengers. are supported.

“Energy drinks cause depression.”

Ms Garcia also said she would take steps to prevent children from smoking e-cigarettes and supported an initiative in some regions of Spain to ban the sale of energy drinks to minors.

“Energy drinks won't give you wings. They cause anxiety, tachycardia, depression,” the minister said in an interview with radio station Cadena Ser.