Tobacco tax in Spain

Tax raised on cheap cigarrette brands in Spain

The Spanish government announced today the latest of a series of measures taken to reduce smoking in Spain: a new law increasing the minimum tax on tabacco from 55 euros to 70 euros for every thousand cigarettes. The law forms part of the Government's anti-tobacco crusade, and will affect the cheapest brands of cigarettes which cost less than 2.17 euros for a pack of 20.

Spain's Vice-president announced the decision today at the end of the government's weekly cabinet meeting. María Teresa Fernandez de la Vega said "I hope this measure encourages many people to give up smoking". If the tobacco companies decide to add the new rise to the price charged to smokers, a 20 pack of cigarettes which currently costs 1.95 € will go up to 2,11 €.

The Government has explained that despite two former rises in the tax on tobacco implemented this year, tobacco companies have chosen to bear the brunt of the tax rise themselves rather than increase the price of a pack of cigarettes which has meant that a significant share of cigarettes are still being sold at prices which the government considers to be "cheaper than desirable from a health perspective".

This is the fifth time the government has raised taxes on tobacco since September 2005. What's more, it may not be the last if the cigarette companies in Spain continue lowering their prices in an attempt to counteract the increasing number of smokers who succumb to the new smoking restrictions, take advantage of the new government-financed courses and support groups and manage to kick the habit.

Related:
Hoteliers protest at smoking ban in Spain

2005
Smoking in Spain
New fines in Spain for illegal smoking
Women smokers in Spain
2004
Smoking banned on Spanish trains
New anti-tabacco reforms
Drugs in Spain

Beluga whale born in Spain

Birth in Valencia of the first beluga whale to be born in captivity in Europe.

In the early hours of this morning beluga whale Yulka, one of the star attractions of Valencia's Oceanografic center, gave birth to her first baby. It is the first time a beluga whale has been born in captivity in Europe, and baby and mother are said to be very well as they swim around together in their pool (see photo).

The Artic section of the Oceongrafic, which is home to the baluga whales, has been closed to the public since yesterday afternoon and will remain so as the baby gets used to its new home. Vets will be keeping a close eye on the two whales at least until Yulka starts feeding her baby daughter, something which is vital for the calf's survival.

Yulka, at just 8 years of age, is the youngest whale to have ever given birth in captivity. She conceived naturally, which is also unusual, and her pregnancy was a long 16 months.

Related links:
Guide to Valencia
Oceangrafic

Elections in Catalonia

CIU wins Catalonian Regional Elections.

Convergencia i Union, the moderate Catalan separatist party won yesterday's election in Catalonia, although the victory was not big enough for the party to form government. The result represents an important reverse for the Catalonian Socialist Party (PSC) which has governed for the past three years together with two minor left-wing separatist parties, ERC and ICV-EUiA in the coalition government known as the tripartito which has secured increased autonomy and a new constitution for Catalonia.

This was the third time the Catalans have been called to vote in the past three years, and the low turn-out reflected the feelings of a weary electorate. The last regional elections were just three years ago, and earlier this year voters were asked to vote in a referendum on the proposed reforms in the Catalan statute. Yesterday les than 57 percent of the electorate participated in the elections, the second lowest turn-out in the history of Catalonian regional elections.

CiU increased its number of seats in the regional parliament by 2, from 46 to 48, while the PSC lost 5 seats. ERC and the Popular Party also lost one seat each, while the other minor separatist party ICV-EUiA gained 3 seats and a new anti-separatism political party called Ciutadans de Catalunya (Citizens of Catalonia) formed just before the elections won a surprising 3 seats.

The leader of Convergencia i Union, Artur Mas, said last night that his party would start negotiating with other parties to form a coalition government. The only party he has ruled out as a possible partner in a coalition government is the Popular Party.


Related:
Congress debates new Statute for Catalonia
Breakthrough in talks for new Catalan Statute