Spain Advances Major Anti-Smoking Legislation Including Stricter Outdoor and Youth Restrictions

• The Spanish government has approved a new tobacco control bill, representing the most significant regulatory update to date, which must now pass through the Cortes.
• The legislation expands smoke-free zones to include hospitality terraces, beaches, swimming pools, and sports facilities, while equating e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products with conventional tobacco.
• New protected perimeters of 15 meters are established around sensitive sites like schools, hospitals, universities, and public buildings.
• The bill introduces fines of up to 600 euros for minors caught vaping or smoking, to be paid by legal guardians, though these can be substituted by educational or community service programs.

Regulation and Sales

• Tobacco sales are further restricted to licensed "estancos" (tobacco shops).
• Advertising and promotional activities are tightened, particularly on social media and the internet.
• Public health advocates, such as the National Committee for the Prevention of Smoking (CNPT) and Nofumadores.org, argue the law still lacks measures like neutral packaging, increased taxation, and strict point-of-sale regulations.

Youth Consumption

• Data from the 2025 ESTUDES survey indicates a sharp rise in youth e-cigarette use, with 49.5% of students aged 14-18 having tried one.
• Advocacy groups claim the tobacco industry targets children with child-friendly product designs and flavors to replace declining cigarette consumption.

Industry Opposition

• The hospitality sector opposes the bill, citing potential economic losses and questioning the scientific justification for banning smoking on outdoor terraces.
• Public health experts argue the ban is necessary to protect workers, noting that over 75% of the Spanish population does not smoke.