Spain Prohibits Smoking in Bars, Restaurants CheapOair Staff January 3, 2011 general Spain is joining the anti-smoking party now with new laws against smoking in bars and restaurants. The new bans on smoking kill any hopes of establishments allowing smoking. Before the new laws went into effect, bars and restaurants had to right to decide on their whether to allow smoking or not. Also, it is now a legal offense if you're caught smoking next to a hospital or a children's playground. Source: ABC News