Spain plans to ban smoking on terraces and beaches as part of a new anti-tobacco law
Kyiv • UNN
The Spanish government has approved a bill banning smoking on terraces, beaches and other public places. The document also equates electronic cigarettes to regular ones and introduces fines of up to 600 thousand euros.
The Spanish government has approved a bill that significantly strengthens anti-tobacco regulations. The country is expanding the list of smoke-free places, completely banning smoking for minors, and equating electronic cigarettes to regular ones, reports Euronews, writes UNN.
Details
The document now must be approved by parliament. The new rules will apply not only to cigarettes but also to vapes, nicotine pouches, and hookahs. In Spain alone, smoking claims about 50,000 lives each year, so the authorities aim to close all legal loopholes.
According to the documents, the smoking ban will extend to bar and restaurant terraces, sea and river beaches, open-air swimming pools, sports fields, national parks, and official vehicles. Smoking will also be prohibited during any public outdoor events.
Separately, 15-meter protective zones will be created near entrances to hospitals, schools, universities, libraries, museums, and playgrounds. Health Minister Monica García emphasized that everyone should be able to relax on a venue's terrace without someone else's cigarette smoke.
The bill also, for the first time, completely prohibits minors from using any tobacco products. Previously, only the sale of cigarettes to teenagers was banned. The fine for this violation will start at 200 euros, but for teenagers, the monetary penalty may be replaced by community service.
Electronic cigarettes, nicotine-free vapes, hookahs, and herbal mixtures will receive the same restrictions as regular cigarettes. They can only be purchased in specialized stores, which will also be prohibited from displaying advertising in their windows.
The government also significantly restricts tobacco advertising on the internet, television, and in the media. Hosts, guests, or participants of TV shows will no longer be able to appear on air with cigarettes or display tobacco company brands.
Non-compliance with the new rules will result in fines ranging from 200 to 600,000 euros. After approval by parliament and official publication, the document will take effect in 20 days, and establishments will have two months to update warning signs.