According to AFP and other reports, the Spanish government approved a draft law on Tuesday (the 21st) that prohibits smoking in outdoor public places such as bar terraces, parks, and beaches. The ban applies to e-cigarettes as well. The bill also prohibits minors from smoking and bans advertising, promotion, or sponsorship activities related to tobacco products.
Spanish Health Minister Garcia said that the draft expands the restrictions related to tobacco, going beyond the indoor smoking ban implemented in 2010. “This is done to better protect public health and move towards a smoke-free generation.”
Garcia said at the press conference: "Our goal is simple: to make clean air in public places a norm." She pointed out that pregnant women and asthma patients should be able to enjoy delicious food on the dining terraces without worry, without having to fear inhaling smoke from nearby tables.
Garcia said that in Spain, more than 50,000 people die from smoking-related diseases each year, and smoking is a risk factor for about 30% of cancer cases.
Since 2011, Spain has prohibited smoking in indoor public places. According to data from the health department for 2024, approximately 26% of adults in Spain smoke daily. A survey conducted in 2023 also showed that about 55% of teenagers aged 14 to 18 have tried e-cigarettes in the country.
However, this draft still requires parliamentary approval, and the government does not have a majority in parliament. Additionally, outdoor dining is very popular in Spain during the hot summer months, so the draft is likely to trigger strong opposition from the local catering industry.
