Travelers Preparing for Spain: Important Information on Proposed Outdoor Smoking Ban
In a bid to curb tobacco use and create healthier public environments, Spain is proposing one of its most ambitious anti-smoking reforms yet. The proposed law, an amendment to the 'Ley 28/2005 de medidas sanitarias frente al tabaquismo' (Law 28/2005 on Health Measures Against Smoking), is part of the 'Plan Integral de Prevención y Control del Tabaquismo 2024-2027' (Comprehensive Plan for the Prevention and Control of Tobacco Use 2024-2027).
Despite a notable decline in daily smoking among Spaniards aged 15 to 64, from about 33.1% in 2022 to 25.8% in 2024, tobacco use remains significant with an estimated 10 million people aged 15 and above in Spain still using tobacco products as of 2022.
The proposed reform aims to extend smoking and vaping bans to outdoor spaces where people gather in close proximity, particularly focusing on areas frequented by children. This includes restaurant and bar terraces, sports venues, beaches, children's playgrounds, stadiums, and bus stops.
For travellers, outdoor smoking activities such as lighting up on a sun-drenched terrace, puffing on a vape while waiting for a bus, or enjoying a cigarette on the sand after a dip in the sea could soon be off-limits. Travellers should keep an eye on local guidelines, especially in tourist hotspots, where authorities may be stricter.
Fines will apply to both locals and tourists if caught smoking or vaping in banned areas, though the exact penalties are still being finalised. The draft law treats e-cigarettes, vapes, nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco devices the same as traditional cigarettes.
The hospitality industry in Spain expresses concerns about the impact of these changes on business, as terraces and beach bars are integral to the country's image and attract both locals and tourists. However, studies show that bars and restaurants that became entirely smoke-free saw nicotine levels fall by an extraordinary 96.7%.
Moreover, a study conducted in Barcelona found that self-reported exposure among non-smokers dropped from 75.7% in 2004-2005 to 56.7% in 2011-2012, with the most significant reductions seen in leisure spaces and public transport.
Men continue to smoke at higher rates than women, with roughly 28.9% of men reporting daily smoking compared to 22.6% of women. Despite these figures, the essence of Spanish leisure, such as long evenings outdoors, afternoons at the beach, and people-watching from a café table, remains unchanged, but the presence of smoke in those scenes will change.
Families visiting parks or playgrounds will find cleaner air, while sports fans attending stadiums may notice a stricter environment where smoking was once tolerated. Beachgoers may have to put their cigarettes aside, as some of the most popular stretches of sand shift toward being completely tobacco-free.
Spain continues to report high rates of smoking compared to many European neighbours, and the government is keen to accelerate a cultural shift that discourages tobacco use altogether. The new smoking ban will change dining experiences on outdoor terraces, offering cleaner air for all but altering the experience for smokers. Enforcement of the new smoking laws may vary region by region in Spain, with autonomous communities adding their own rules.
As Spain moves forward with this ambitious reform, it joins a growing number of countries aiming to create healthier public spaces for all.
