The board of medical experts belonging to the Regional Government of Galicia is recommending that smoking be banned in all public places. This includes whilst walking along a street or even sat on a restaurant, open-air terrace.

The PM for the Xunta (Galician Regional Government) Alberto Núñez, explained that such a prohibition would be applied where social distancing cannot be practiced. He also pointed out that the medical experts consider tobacco smoke “is a diffusion factor,” where the virus is concerned.

“The members of the committee coincide in that smoking without limitations on a (bar/restaurant) terrace when there are other people nearby is a high infection risk,” explain Sr. Núñez. The logic is that if you can smell the smoke from a nearby cigarette, it is because the air expelled from the smokers lungs is reaching you. This concept is an extension of the more logical ‘garlic breath’ test; i.e., if you can smell garlic on somebody’s breath…

If this restriction is adopted, it will be included in today’s Diario Oficial de Galicia (official regional gazette) and will come into effect midnight, tonight.

Smokers have long been banned from smoking in enclosed public spaces such as restaurant dining rooms but this prohibition against smoking on the streets or on outside, restaurant terrace, it virtually means that outside your home, smoking will not be possible. The step, if taken, is a pioneering one.

(News: Galicia)