SMOKING IN PUBLIC

[hogfather]

What are the current rules for smoking in a public place? Not in bars and restaurants of course, but in open air, distancing observed, and mask worn when not smoking!

[Cotillo_Tom]

You need to look at thus from another angle. 

Ask yourself instead 'where do I need to wear a mask?'

Wearing a mask means you can't smoke, therefore, it is only where you are permitted to be without a mask that you can smoke. 

In short, almost nowhere if you are in a populated area!

The only other places:
In your home.
In bar or restaurant where smoking is permitted on the terrace. 

Tom.

[hogfather]

Thanks both, but none the wiser as two answers differ! In other words, if I am miles from anyone and see no "old bill" can I sneak a drag?

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

Just to clarify one point, you are not allowed to smoke on any bar, café, restaurant terrace at the moment. 
I'm a smoker, I keep well away from anyone else when I'm out and about and have had no problems.

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

Just found this on Janet Anscombe's site which confirms my own translation of the BOE:

• smoking is banned in the outside areas of all bars, restaurants, etc., and in any outdoor public spaces unless the smoker is alone, motionless, and can guarantee 2m distancing from anyone else.  Smoking is already banned throughout Spain in enclosed public spaces like bars, restaurants, airports, as well as outside schools, hospitals, etc
  

[Ducks]

Just found this on Janet Anscombe's site which confirms my own translation of the BOE:

• smoking is banned in the outside areas of all bars, restaurants, etc., and in any outdoor public spaces unless the smoker is alone, motionless, and can guarantee 2m distancing from anyone else.  Smoking is already banned throughout Spain in enclosed public spaces like bars, restaurants, airports, as well as outside schools, hospitals, etc
  

Motionless. 

So you can light the cigarette— but you then have to hold it in place, frozen, until it burns down to the filter, trying to desperately inhale whatever the wind might blow to you. Once it finally burns out, you are then freed from your immobilised prison, ready to resume your day. 

...I know they are doing their best to protect people and there are undoubtedly some who would take the proverbial using smoking as an excuse to ditch the mask for long periods of time, but they're really making it difficult here.

In practice, what I have seen is people sneaking their mask up to take a drag and hastily pulling it back into place when anyone approaches. It's probably not legal, but it does seem to be what folks are doing.

[Jmotter_pick]

Smoking in public areas is increasingly restricted, which I think is a positive move for public health. Finding designated smoking zones ensures compliance with regulations while respecting non-smokers' rights to clean air. It's for everyone's best.