It comes after France implemented similar rules.
European countries are on a crusade to create a tobacco-free generation, and the latest nation to make a move is Spain. The Spanish government has approved a draft bill to ban smoking and vaping in public places. The proposal would prohibit people from lighting up in restaurants, bars, beaches, stadiums, and sports areas.
This move comes on the heels of France introducing a similar ban on public smoking in July. It is now illegal to light up in parks, restaurants, and pools in France. Violators face fines of up to $825 for noncompliance. Restaurant terraces, however, are currently exempt, and e-cigarettes are also allowed. Spain, on the other hand, plans to ban cigarettes and vapes even in restaurants and lounges.
Related: This European Country Will Now Fine You for Smoking on the Beach
All tobacco products, including shisha, nicotine pouches, and herbal cigarettes, will be restricted under the new law. The draft also forbids advertising or promotion of these products. The anti-smoking law will end sales of single-use vapes and ban sales to minors. If minors are caught smoking, their parents may be fined. Fines for minor offenses, such as smoking in prohibited spaces, could reach up to €600 ($712). Advertising or promoting tobacco products could result in penalties between €10,000 ($11,860) and €600,000 ($712,000).
The draft does not include plans for a hike in tobacco prices—a pack of 20 costs €6 ($7.12). After disagreements within the coalition, the proposal for generic, plain packaging was dropped. Other European countries have adopted plain packaging to remove brand logos and colors and reduce the appeal of tobacco products.
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The draft is pending parliamentary approval and may be amended.
With this legislation, Spain aims to address evolving forms of smoking and discourage tobacco consumption, especially among young people. According to Eurostat, 19.7% of people over age 15 in Spain smoke daily, slightly higher than the E.U. average of 18.4%. Tobacco causes 140 deaths a day in the country—over 50,000 a year—and is linked to 30% of cancer tumors, Health Minister Mónica García Gómez said. “Everyone has a right to breathe clean air … and live longer and better lives,” she told reporters.
What It Means for Travelers
For travelers, this might mean a change in their holiday experience. Smoking is considered part of the culture in Spain, where outdoor dining areas and terraces are popular with both locals and tourists. In fact, cigarettes are cheaper in Spain compared to other European countries, and buying packs at duty-free is a bonus for travelers.
Smoking indoors has been banned in Spain since 2011. Recently, many beaches in Barcelona, Ibiza, and Mallorca also prohibited smoking. Travelers should note that there are 50 smoke-free beaches in the Balearics and that violating the law could result in a fine.
The hospitality industry has criticized the new proposal, warning that it will damage the country’s reputation and negatively impact the sector. It pointed to France, which has exempted terraces from its ban.
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