smoking ban

its simple enough really just make your voice heard to the owner landlord or bar manager and they WILL comply whilst you are there - for sure....(I AM NOT SAYING TIS RIGHT AND PROPER BUT THATS JUST THE WAY IT IS) there is a VERY hefty fine for not adhering to the rules - for both the smoker and the owner/landlord/manager.

Hi andylad,

from my experience you will find that the no-smoking rule is followed in most public places, especially in restaurants and eateries. Customers go outside to smoke if necessary!

In certain places such as bars,clubs and pubs in Paceville, you might find people smoking but this is the least of your concerns there as a complaint will probably find you getting beaten-up by bouncers and dumped on the street where the chances are someone will rob you too ! And hang onto your valuables and cameras and phones when visiting Paceville - most of our visitors have come home missing something! It really is a crime hotspot - smoking in public is a minor problem!

Cheers
Ricky

Thanks for the info Ricky,I find smoking in bars etc more than a minor problem.And find that it completely spoils my enjoyment. I had been reading on other sources that the ban was pretty much ignored,so I am heartened that you say it is not.
As for Paceville.I have heard that it is not a pleasant place,but I am very unlikely to go there as it seems to be for a much younger age group than myself.
I am just hoping to find a decent pub type place to have a quite drink,and not come out smoked like a Kipper!!

Where are you looking at to eat/drink etc in Malta...

For instance, in Birzebbuga most of the little bars etc do not allow smoking and you have to just stand outside if you feel the need...

J.

I am starting to feel very heartened by your reply's,it seems I have been given duff information.
I will be staying in Sliema while I look for a place to rent,But intend to travel over the island as much as possible to get a feel for the place,so will be  looking for the kind of bar/cafe where I can get lunch and a beer.(usually prefer the locals places when traveling). and somewhere to wind down evenings in Sliema.

Hi andylad,

stay in contact and when you are here we can get together for a smoke-free beer or coffee !.

I live in Sliema and can give you some advice ! Price = 1 Cisk -))

Cheers
Ricky

Hi Ricky,

Thanks,nice offer. I will post on here before I arrive.

Cheers!

andylad wrote:

Hello All.
I have been reading that the ban on smoking in public places in Malta is usually ignored and seldom enforced.
This worries me a bit as I am not keen on smoky atmospheres.does any one know of places to eat and drink that are smoke free (or relatively smoke free)

Thanks!

Hi there, as far as I know, the no smoking ban is actually quite enforced in Malta and most places are really smoke free. If they are not, you have to talk to the management immediately and they enforce it as it has already been said, fines are really heavy for non compliance.
Enjoy Malta!

The fines range from €200 to over €1000 for a first offence by are largely not followed through by the police. However, if you enter a restaurant or bar and donor wish to sit in a smoky atmosphere tel the manager and Theough will insist on people inside extinguishing. I have to say that, apart from da Michele in Qawra, or the cinemas at Bay Street and the Vodka Bar in Paceville, who vehemently adhere to the law, there are very few others. It's annoyedng fir us as we are newly baptised 'ex smokers' and hate it!

In my experience the ban is observed.
It is where we go anyway. (Except on the ferry, by crew )

Reading this thread it seems that there is no unanimity about whether smoking is common or uncommon on places where is banned.

ricky wrote:

In certain places such as bars,clubs and pubs in Paceville, you might find people smoking but this is the least of your concerns there as a complaint will probably find you getting beaten-up by bouncers and dumped on the street where the chances are someone will rob you too ! And hang onto your valuables and cameras and phones when visiting Paceville - most of our visitors have come home missing something! It really is a crime hotspot - smoking in public is a minor problem!

ricky, did you mean discreetly robbery or violent robbery? In the main nightlife streets such as Wilga Street or in the whole "district"?

Lusco wrote:

Reading this thread it seems that there is no unanimity about whether smoking is common or uncommon on places where is banned.

Given the number of responses, I would say that no conclusion can be drawn as it is not based upon a statistically significant number of people or a relevant cross section of members.

Anyway, plenty of places to eat and drink outside, unless you don't want to get gassed by exhaust fumes around Sliema, Paceville etc.

by and large it is ignored (certainly by local smokers) unless people complain.

Well, I got a 250 Eur fine back in 2009 for smoking in a bar. It was my 1st night out in Malta and I was not aware about this rule + I was not the only one smoking in the local.

At the end I didn't paid, as the policeman wrote wrongly my name (I think that he sympathized with me lol) , but others didn't had the same luck (I even attended a session into the Tribunal with another black sheeps )


Maybe things are more liberal now...

Yogurina wrote:

Well, I got a 250 Eur fine back in 2009 for smoking in a bar. It was my 1st night out in Malta and I was not aware about this rule + I was not the only smoking in the local.

At the end I didn't paid, as the policeman wrote wrongly my name in the fine , but other ppl had to pay it not having the same luck(I even attended a session into the Tribunal with another black sheeps )


Maybe things are more liberal now...

Hi Yogurina. Did you ever consider quit smoking after such a negative experience?

lol Well, for me was funny experience, as I didn't paid nothing + attended an interesting court session...

I am an ex-smoker now because of a female vanity.

Ex-smoker? Well done.
You must be really proud of yourself. Keep it up.