Spain enters 2006 with less smoke all round, for smokers and non-smokers. This land, a breath of resh air for hundreds of thousands of Europeans, has stood out over the last twenty-five years for its absolute freedom, at times the dream of other countries of the Old Continent and the Americas. Of course we must look after the health of our fellow citizens, while also remembering that in the field of tourism we are here to server our clients and make sure their stay here is an oasis of happiness. As a result of the new Tobacco Law, those of us who run bars, restaurants, hotels and other tourist-focused establishments will have until September to adapt to the new regulations. This will mean, on the Costa del Sol alone and for the hotel companies, a total outlay of some two million euros, just at the point when such businesses see their inome at its lowest.

The question we may well ask ourselves is why the ban on smoking is not being extended further to the environmental pollution which also affects our precious lungs. Spain is not yet meeting its Kyoto commitments, and so now could be a good time to consider the issue. Nonetheless, we may not need to introduce controls on the use of fossil fuelds, as in this day and age we may soon find our selves free not only of smoke from cigarrettes, but also from exhaust pipes, as the age of oil seems to be nearing it send. We are not talking about abandoning overnight our fuel from the 'black gold', which is now being sold for prices more like the precious metal itself. It will be a gradual process, although the new era of hydrogen and biodiesel is now on the horizon, two energy sources which are practically inexhaustible and infinitely cleaner.

Naturally, on the Costa del Sol we should be looking very seriously at the use of the chied source of our wealth, the very sun itself, to provide our developments with all the energy they need. All this is possible, but when will the day finally come? The consequences of this huge shif may be unpredictable, but experts and the oil industry insist that it is inevitable in the medium term. And then will be free to breathe air pure of tobacco smoke and petrol fumes.