The Spanish Council of Ministers has approved a draft for a new anti-tobacco law that will significantly tighten restrictions on tobacco and e-cigarette consumption in Spain. Among the most notable changes is the prohibition of smoking and vaping on the outdoor terraces of hospitality venues, at public swimming pools, bus stops, and on the grounds of high schools and university campuses. Commercial vehicles will also be considered smoke-free workplaces under the new rules.
The legislation, which now heads to parliament for further debate and approval, legally equates the use of electronic cigarettes (vapes) with conventional tobacco, subjecting them to the same limitations on advertising and sponsorship. It also establishes a 15-meter smoke-free and vape-free perimeter around the entrances of hospitals, educational centers, sports facilities, and children's playgrounds. Health Minister Mónica García stated the law is necessary because "new products have appeared and there are new needs," emphasizing the goal of reducing passive smoke exposure, especially for minors.
However, two highly anticipated measures have been excluded from the current draft due to a lack of agreement within the coalition government: generic (plain) packaging and a significant increase in tobacco taxes. This omission has drawn sharp criticism from public health and anti-smoking organizations. The Spanish Society of Pulmonology lamented the exclusion, noting that plain packaging "not only helps adults quit smoking but also prevents initiation among young people." Raquel Fernández Megina, president of Nofumadores.org, accused the government of "yielding to industry pressure," and pointed to WHO estimates that for every 10% increase in tobacco price, 4% of smokers quit.
Despite their exclusion from the initial draft, the Ministry of Health has not ruled out the possibility of introducing plain packaging and tax increases during the parliamentary process. If approved in its current form, the law will still represent a radical change in tobacco consumption habits in Spain, effectively ending smoking and vaping in a large portion of public life.
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