Spain has long been one of the planet’s most popular holiday spots, not just because of its Mediterranean climate, lip-smacking food and top-tier beaches, but also because of the availability of cheap cigarettes and duty-free tobacco.
However, anti-smoking sentiment across Europe is only continuing to spread, and, following in the footsteps of France which banned smoking in most public spaces, Spain’s coalition government has approved a draft bill in which similar, though marginally stricter, rules could be instated.
To be specific, the proposed legislation would see smoking and vaping banned in outdoor spaces including beaches, parks and public gardens, outside schools, sports venues, at bus stops, children’s play areas, and in the terraces of restaurants and bars (though these venues were not included in France’s ban).
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The draft law applies to both conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes, as well as nicotine pouches, shisha pipes, and herbal products, but also seeks to restrict the marketing and distribution of vapes and e-cigarettes, too.
It needs approval from parliament and amendments could well be made, but Spain’s health minister, Monica Garcia, told reporters that ‘we’ll always put public health ahead of private interests. Everyone has a right to breathe clean air and live longer and better lives,’ according to The Independent.
And given around 50,000 people die from smoking-related causes each year in Spain, surely this is great news? Well, the hospitality industry would argue otherwise – restaurant and bar owners across the country say Spain’s year-round outdoor dining culture is boosted significantly by smokers, so there are concerns about how the bill would impact their income.
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