Smoking and vaping may face prohibition on restaurant terraces and beaches in Spain in the near future. The Spanish government has given the green light to a preliminary tobacco law that would forbid individuals, including both locals and tourists, from smoking on bar and restaurant terraces as well as beaches. Additionally, the law would bar minors from using vapes and related products and put an end to the sale of single-use electronic cigarettes.
The bill was approved by the cabinet on Tuesday morning, but it still requires parliamentary approval and could undergo alterations. The exact timeline for the implementation of these measures remains unknown.
Under the proposed legislation, electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches, herbal products, shisha pipes, and devices used for tobacco and substance heating would be treated similarly to traditional cigarettes. Their use would be prohibited in enclosed public spaces and outdoor areas such as bar terraces, stadiums, sports centers, children’s play areas, bus stops, and educational facilities.
Health Minister Mónica García Gómez stated that the draft law aims to position Spain at the forefront of the anti-tobacco campaign. While smoking inside bars and restaurants in Spain has been banned since 2010, progress has been slow since then.
Statistics from the Global Action to End Smoking report indicate that 24.9% of the population used some form of tobacco in 2022, with a higher prevalence among men at 27.5%. In contrast, only 11% of Brits smoke.
Ms. Gómez emphasized the significant impact of tobacco on public health, revealing that tobacco-related factors claim the lives of 140 individuals daily in Spain, totaling 50,000 deaths annually. She highlighted that 30% of cancer tumors are linked to tobacco use. The upcoming law will regulate various tobacco-related products, including vapes, tobacco-heating devices, and nicotine pouches, based on scientific evidence.
Despite the strict regulations on smoking and vaping, there are no plans to increase cigarette prices in Spain, where a pack of 20 cigarettes costs under €6 (£5.20).
Spain’s proposed measures align with recent steps taken by France in July, where smoking in outdoor areas such as beaches, parks, public gardens, schools, bus stops, and sports venues is now illegal. However, the French legislation does not extend to café and bar terraces or electronic cigarettes.
Notably, Spain’s approved proposal does not include mandates for plain packaging on tobacco products, unlike 25 other countries, including the UK, as per World Health Organization data.
