CONSERVATIVES FAN THE FLAMES OVER SMOKING LAW

THE conservative Partido Popular in the Balearics yesterday hit back at claims made on Wednesday that it was using the new smoking law to deliberately cause “confrontation” with the socialist central government in Madrid. Central government delegate Ramon Socias tried to clear up the confusion over the new law by stating that it is the national law which people must comply with, not the Balearic version, while accusing the PP-run Balearic government of trying to cause trouble. PP spokesperson Miguel Ramis denied the claims yesterday adding that the Balearic government is more than happy to let the courts decide which anti-smoking law is to be enforced in the region. Ramis said that, for the time being until the courts have reached a ruling, “there is problem” if an establishment which to comply with the national law. We 'll wait to see what the courts say before taking any action,” he said. The problem is that national law states than bars and restaurants less than 100 square metres in size can decided to permit smoking or not, one or the other, while in the Balearics, all establishments have to have a non-smoking and smoking area.