The Spanish government has passed a draft tobacco law that could soon prohibit smoking and vaping on restaurant terraces and beaches in Spain. The law aims to ban individuals, including minors, from using electronic cigarettes and related products. Additionally, the sale of single-use electronic cigarettes would be discontinued.
This legislation, approved by the cabinet, is pending approval by parliament and may undergo further modifications. It is unclear when these regulations would take effect. The law would treat electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches, herbal products, shisha pipes, and devices used for heating tobacco and other substances similarly to traditional cigarettes.
These products would be banned in enclosed public spaces and outdoor areas such as bar terraces, sports venues, children’s play areas, bus stops, and educational facilities. The health minister, Mónica García Gómez, stated that the purpose of the law is to position Spain at the forefront of the fight against tobacco. While smoking inside bars and restaurants was prohibited in Spain in 2010, progress in reducing tobacco use has been slow.
Statistics show that 24.9% of the population in Spain used tobacco in 2022, with a higher prevalence among men at 27.5%. In comparison, only 11% of individuals in the UK smoke. Ms. Gómez emphasized the detrimental effects of tobacco, citing that tobacco-related factors contribute to 30% of cancer tumors and result in 50,000 deaths annually in Spain. The new law aims to regulate various tobacco-related products based on scientific evidence.
Tourists seeking affordable cigarettes in Spain will not face price increases as a pack of 20 cigarettes costs less than €6 (£5.20). Spain’s actions align with recent measures taken by France, where smoking in outdoor areas such as beaches, parks, and public gardens is now illegal. However, France excludes café and bar terraces as well as electronic cigarettes from these restrictions.
Notably, Spain’s proposed law does not include plain packaging requirements for tobacco products, a measure implemented by 25 countries, including the UK, according to World Health Organization data.