Electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches, herbal products, shisha pipes and devices used to heat tobacco and other substances would be treated the same as conventional cigarettes under the Spanish govenrment’s new proposals
Smoking and vaping could soon be banned in restaurant terraces and on beaches in Spain.
The Spanish government has approved a draft tobacco law that would ban locals and holidaymakers alike from having a puff on bar and restaurant terraces, as well as on beaches. The law would also prohibit minors from using vapes and related products, and end the sale of single-use electronic cigarettes.
The legislation was signed off by the cabinet on Tuesday morning. The bill still needs to be approved by parliament and could be amended. There is no indication yet of when these measures might come in.
Electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches, herbal products, shisha pipes and devices used to heat tobacco and other substances would be treated the same as conventional cigarettes.
READ MORE: Huge £400million UK water park set to open with 30 water slidesREAD MORE: UK’s ‘best autumn walking destination’ has beautiful woods and lower chance of rain
Their use would all be banned in enclosed public spaces, as well as in outdoor areas such as bar terraces, stadiums, sports centres, children’s play areas, bus stops and educational facilities.
The health minister, Mónica García Gómez, said the draft law was intended to put Spain “back at the forefront of the fight against tobacco”. Smoking inside bars and restaurants in Spain was banned back in 2010, but since then, progress has been slow.
According to the Global Action to End Smoking report, 24.9% of the population used tobacco in some way in 2022, with higher rates of (27.5%) among men. In contrast, 11% of Brits smoke.
Ms Gómez added: “We know that tobacco claims the lives of 140 people a day in our country, which is 50,000 people a year. I also want to stress that 30% of cancer tumours are linked to the factors that come from tobacco use … We know that the reality has changed when it comes to tobacco and that there are new devices, such as vapes and tobacco-heating devices and nicotine pouches – and this law, for the first time, will regulate all these tobacco-related products, and it will regulate them in a clear and forceful way based on the scientific evidence.”
Holidaymakers looking to pick up some cheap cigarettes are in luck. There is no plan to hike prices in a country where a pack of 20 cigarettes costs less than €6 (£5.20).
Spain’s approach mirrors recent action taken by France in July. It is now illegal to smoke in outdoor places, including beaches, parks, public gardens, outside schools, bus stops and sports venues in France. The legislation, however, excludes café and bar terraces and electronic cigarettes from its restrictions.
Absent from Spain’s cabinet-approved proposal are any requirements for plain packaging on tobacco products. This is a measure that has been adopted by 25 nations, including the UK, according to World Health Organisation data.