Spain Proposes Outdoor Terrace Smoking Ban and Equal Regulation for E-Cigarettes
Spanish Health Minister Mónica GarcÃa announced a draft law to ban smoking on outdoor terraces of bars and restaurants, aiming to align vaping regulations with traditional tobacco rules. This policy update addresses rising public health concerns and targets modern nicotine alternatives.
The proposed legislation expands smoke-free zones to include areas within 15 meters of public buildings, playgrounds, healthcare centers, and schools. It also bans smoking inside work vehicles, sports facilities, universities, public pools, and outdoor event venues.
For the first time, Spain will regulate electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches, herbal inhalation products, waterpipes, and heated tobacco devices identically to conventional cigarettes, whether they contain nicotine or not.
Health Minister GarcÃa stated that the reforms aim to return Spain to the forefront of tobacco control. Previous reforms banned indoor workplace smoking in 2005 and indoor dining smoking in 2010. According to ministry data, tobacco use causes approximately 140 deaths daily in Spain, totaling 50,000 deaths annually, and is a risk factor linked to 30% of cancer cases.
However, the bill faces legislative hurdles. The opposition Partido Popular (PP) has conditioned its parliamentary support on the inclusion of designated smoking areas and guarantees that the hospitality sector will not suffer financial harm.
HostelerÃa de España, the main hospitality lobby, opposed the measure. The group argued that the ban would have limited efficacy and could drive smokers to gather in private homes, potentially increasing secondhand smoke exposure for families.
- Read more: Spain Approves Draft Law Banning Smoking and Vaping on Terraces, Beaches, and Work Vehicles
