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Smoking ban approved on bar terraces, beaches and outdoor concerts in Spain
Spain's biggest overhaul of smoking laws since 2010 is on the way but not everyone is convinced it will work
We all knew it was coming, but few realised it would be so extreme and it’s dividing opinion up and down the country. Spain’s Council Ministers this week approved a new anti-smoking law, which must now make its way through the Congress of Deputies before passing into law.
If approved by parliament, the legislation will dramatically expand the number of places where smoking is banned, including some of the most popular spots for residents, holidaymakers and expats alike.
The biggest change is the proposed ban on smoking on the terraces of bars, cafés and restaurants. Lighting up would also be prohibited on beaches, around swimming pools, at outdoor concerts and festivals, at sports and cultural venues, bus stops, train platforms and children's play areas.
And it's not just traditional cigarettes in the firing line. The rules would also apply to vapes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, heated tobacco products and hookahs.
Minister for Health Mónica García said the law is designed to bring Spain's smoking legislation into line with modern habits and tackle the growing popularity of alternative nicotine products, particularly among young people.
"Sixteen years have passed, and the reality of smoking has changed," she said after the proposal was approved by ministers.
"What was once the classic cigarette has been transformed into new devices. Today we live with vapes, heated tobacco, nicotine pouches and disposable devices that are especially attractive to young people."
According to Ms García, the government's objective is to create a "tobacco-free generation" and reduce the health impact of smoking, which officials say is linked to around 50,000 deaths each year in Spain and roughly 30% of cancer cases.
The draft law also introduces a specific ban on the use of tobacco and related products by under-18s. While selling tobacco products to minors is already illegal, the new legislation would also make consumption itself an offence. Parents could face fines of up to €200 if their children are caught smoking.
Another major change would see stricter controls on the sale and promotion of vaping products. The government wants to stop e-cigarettes and similar products being sold as casually as everyday consumer goods, with tighter restrictions on where they can be purchased and advertised.
The law would also create smoke-free buffer zones of at least 15 metres around schools, universities, health centres, sports facilities, parks, museums, libraries and cultural centres.
Supporters say the measures are long overdue. The Ministry of Health estimates that the reforms could save between €100 million and €200 million a year in healthcare costs.
But the plans have already sparked a backlash from Spain's hospitality industry, which fears bars and restaurants will end up paying the price.
Many business owners argue that smokers and non-smokers have coexisted without major issues on outdoor terraces for years and question whether the new restrictions will actually reduce tobacco use.
Bartolomé Vera, president of the Regional Federation of Hospitality and Tourism Businesses of the Region of Murcia (HoyTú), urged customers not to panic, pointing out that the law has not yet taken effect and smoking and vaping remain permitted on bar terraces for now.
Mr Vera also questioned whether the measures would achieve their intended goal.
"What it will do is shift gatherings with smokers to enclosed spaces like private homes, increasing exposure to smoke, or encourage disorderly smoking near terraces, which will harm the environment and residents since there are no designated areas for cigarette butts," he predicted.
The debate is likely to intensify in the coming months as the bill makes its way through parliament.
For many people, particularly non-smokers and families with young children, the changes will be welcomed. For others, especially bar owners already grappling with rising costs, it feels like another challenge for an industry that depends heavily on outdoor socialising.
One thing is certain. If the law passes in its current form, smoking in Spain will look very different from what we're used to today.
Image: Freepik
