Spain Plans Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban Including Bars, Beaches, Minors

The Spanish government has approved a draft law that would significantly expand smoking and vaping bans in public outdoor spaces, including restaurant and bar terraces, beaches, stadiums, bus stops, and university campuses. The legislation treats electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches, herbal products, shisha pipes, and tobacco-heating devices the same as conventional cigarettes and prohibits their use in these areas to protect public health and reduce tobacco-related deaths, which currently claim 50,000 lives annually in Spain. The law also targets minors by banning their use of vaping products and imposing fines on parents or guardians if minors are caught smoking. Additionally, the reform introduces fines ranging from minor penalties for smoking in prohibited areas to very serious fines for tobacco advertising and promotion, aiming to curb youth access to tobacco and reduce exposure to harmful substances. The bill has faced criticism from the hospitality sector due to potential impacts on popular outdoor terraces, while regional officials in places like Majorca advocate for even stricter measures, including banning flavorings in vaping products and restricting nicotine pouch sales. This legislation aligns Spain with other European countries, such as France, which have introduced outdoor smoking bans to promote cleaner air and public health.