Spain is preparing to significantly expand its public smoking restrictions by banning smoking on bar and restaurant terraces, as well as in other outdoor public areas, Health Minister Mónica García announced Thursday.
The proposal includes not only traditional tobacco but also electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco devices.
In an interview with Cadena SER radio, García revealed that the government has finalized a draft bill to implement the ban, which must still undergo review by the Council of Ministers and approval in the Spanish Parliament’s lower house.
“We want to place Spain at the forefront of the fight against smoking,” García said, emphasizing the public health objective of the legislation.
Expanded Scope of the Ban
In addition to hospitality terraces, the proposed law would prohibit smoking in:
The draft bill is part of a broader anti-smoking initiative launched by Spain’s left-wing coalition government more than a year ago. The initiative also includes increased support for smoking cessation programs and higher taxes on tobacco products and their alternatives.
EU-Wide Push Against Public Smoking
Spain’s move aligns with similar efforts in other European countries responding to the European Commission’s recommendation to extend smoking bans to more public spaces, including those involving e-cigarettes.
France announced in September 2024 that it was developing a nationwide ban on smoking in outdoor café terraces.
Italy has discussed similar legislation since 2023, though only Milan has enacted a local ban so far, with a pilot program proposed in Rome.
Beyond the EU, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed last year that his government was exploring stricter outdoor smoking regulations for pubs and restaurants to reduce preventable deaths.
Industry Pushback
While public health advocates have welcomed the initiative, critics argue the measures could be too restrictive and economically damaging. Small businesses, especially in the hospitality sector, warn they may lose customers if smoking is prohibited even in outdoor seating areas.
The legislation is expected to spark intense debate as it advances through Spain’s legislative process, but if passed, it would mark one of the most comprehensive smoking bans in Europe, further cementing Spain’s place in the EU’s collective effort to curb tobacco-related harm.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev spoke about the emergence of a new world order at the Munich Security Conference. In response to a question by An...
AnewZ's Orkhan Amashov reports from Munich as the three-day Munich Security Conference kicked off on Friday (13 February), bringing together world lea...
Dubai-based global ports operator DP World said on Friday that its long-serving chairman and chief executive, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, has stepped do...
Georgia’s Foreign Ministry has raised concerns over reports that the Kulevi oil terminal on the country’s Black Sea coast could be included in a f...
Türkiye and Syria plan to establish a joint coordination system aimed at streamlining communication between the two countries and countering disinfor...
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev spoke about the emergence of a new world order at the Munich Security Conference. In response to a question by AnewZ's Orkhan Amashov, he discussed the creation of the Board of Peace, launched in Davos and its upcoming first summit in Washington.
AnewZ's Orkhan Amashov reports from Munich as the three-day Munich Security Conference kicked off on Friday (13 February), bringing together world leaders, diplomats, and policy makers to discuss pressing global security challenges.
Dubai-based global ports operator DP World said on Friday that its long-serving chairman and chief executive, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, has stepped down following mounting pressure linked to alleged ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The United States is set to deploy an additional 200 troops to Nigeria as part of expanded counterterrorism cooperation, according to a senior Nigerian military source.
Europe heads into the Munich Security Conference, on Friday (13 February), amid deepening unease over U.S. policy, as President Donald Trump’s hard-line stance on defence, trade and territory fuels doubts about Washington’s long-term commitment to transatlantic security.
James Van Der Beek, who rose to fame as Dawson Leery in the hit teen drama Dawson’s Creek, has died aged 48 following a battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
Türkiye and Greece signalled renewed political will to ease long-standing tensions during high-level talks in Ankara on Wednesday (11 February). Maritime borders, migration and trade topped the agenda as both leaders struck a cautiously optimistic tone.
Stalled U.S.–Iran talks and mounting regional tensions are exposing a growing strategic rift between Washington and Tel Aviv over how to confront Tehran, political analyst James M. Dorsey says, exposing stark differences in approach at a critical moment.
BMW is recalling a mid six figure number of vehicles worldwide after identifying a potential fire risk linked to the starter motor.
As Cuba’s government prepares for American aggression, residents say economic hardship worries them more than the threat of war. Tensions between Cuba and the U.S. have escalated sharply this year, as Washington steps up sanctions and threatens regime change.
Europe needs to develop global partnerships with key nations to tackle global problems together, chancellor tells Munich Security Conference
AnewZ's Orkhan Amashov reports from Munich as the three-day Munich Security Conference kicked off on Friday (13 February), bringing together world leaders, diplomats, and policy makers to discuss pressing global security challenges.
Dubai-based global ports operator DP World said on Friday that its long-serving chairman and chief executive, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, has stepped down following mounting pressure linked to alleged ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched early on Friday, 13 February, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, carrying four astronauts and cosmonauts on an eight-month mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The Crew-12 team includes two Americans, a French astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment