Spain Approves Sweeping Anti-Smoking Reform to Target Vaping and Expand Smoke-Free Zones

The Spanish government has approved a major draft bill designed to overhaul the country’s smoking laws. As part of the 2024-2027 Comprehensive Plan for the Prevention and Control of Smoking, these reforms aim to update regulations that have remained largely unchanged for over a decade, with a primary focus on protecting minors and regulating new smoking devices.

Health authorities are acting due to worrying trends among young people. In the Canary Islands, while smoking rates are slightly below the national average, over 12,400 people aged 14 to 18—roughly 10.7% of that age group—still smoke. Because many start as young as 14, the government is toughening penalties: minor infractions will now carry fines between 300 and 600 euros. Parents or guardians may be held responsible, or offenders may be offered the option to perform community service instead of paying a fine.

A key part of the new law is treating electronic cigarettes, vapes, and shishas the same as traditional tobacco. This reflects a shift in habits; while 15.6% of young people in the Canary Islands smoked tobacco last year, 35.9% have tried vaping. Under the new rules, these devices will be banned in all areas where smoking is already prohibited, regardless of whether they contain nicotine. Their sale will also be restricted to specialized shops.

The proposal also significantly expands smoke-free zones. If passed, the smoking ban will extend to hospitality terraces, sports facilities, national parks, outdoor public entertainment venues, and the entire coastline. For the Canary Islands, this is a major change, as beach smoking bans currently depend on local council rules or voluntary programs that cover only 15% of the region’s 500-plus beaches.

Additionally, the law creates "protected environments," establishing a 15-meter smoke-free radius around schools, hospitals, cultural centers, and playgrounds. The reform also introduces stricter rules on advertising and sponsorship in digital and media outlets and will relaunch the Observatory for the Prevention of Smoking.

While smoking rates in the Canary Islands have dropped from 26.2% to 19.9% according to the 2021 Health Survey, there are still nearly 375,000 smokers in the region. The draft bill must still go through the parliamentary process and may be amended before it is finalized. It will officially take effect 20 days after being published in the Official State Gazette.