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.
Kazakhstan is open to expanding its oil export routes through Azerbaijan and advancing joint energy infrastructure projects across the Caspian region,...
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova praised Georgia for resisting Western pressure (30 May), defending its national interests and pu...
More than 1,500 pages of government documents relating to Peter Mandelson's appointment and tenure as UK ambassador to the U.S. have been published, r...
As Armenia approaches parliamentary elections, Russia appears to be increasing political and economic pressure on Yerevan, signalling that closer inte...
Afghanistan’s consul general in Mashhad and the governor of Iran’s Khorasan Razavi province have discussed expanding trade, improving border trans...
Kazakhstan is open to expanding its oil export routes through Azerbaijan and advancing joint energy infrastructure projects across the Caspian region, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov told AnewZ in an exclusive interview in Baku.
As Armenia approaches parliamentary elections, Russia appears to be increasing political and economic pressure on Yerevan, signalling that closer integration with the EU could lead to significant changes in labour, transport and energy arrangements between the two countries.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has withdrawn the appointment of a senior U.S. official to a top leadership role because of delays in U.S. payments, according to a statement published on Monday (1 June).
Turkish authorities have launched an investigation into a passenger bus crash in southwestern Türkiye that killed eight people and injured 33 others over the weekend.
U.S. rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye, performed to a crowd of 118,000 people in Istanbul on Saturday night, marking his first concert in Europe in more than a decade, despite being barred from performing in several countries over past antisemitic remarks.
Okinawa lost transport links and suffered widespread power outages on Monday (1 June) as Severe Tropical Storm Jangmi brought destructive winds and heavy rain to Japan's south-western islands.
Donald Trump said he is “in no hurry” to reach a deal with Iran, insisting the U.S. is slowly getting what it wants. He warned military action remains an option if talks fail. Meanwhile, U.S. forces said they fired a missile at a vessel trying to breach Washington’s blockade of Iran.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has held talks with Lebanese President and Israeli Prime Minister on efforts to ease tensions between Israel and Lebanon. According to a U.S. official, Washington has proposed a plan aimed at achieving a gradual de-escalation of hostilities.
The World Health Organisation’s designation of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) is a stark reminder that Ebola remains a persistent global health threat rather than a disease of the past.
More than 1,500 pages of government documents relating to Peter Mandelson's appointment and tenure as UK ambassador to the U.S. have been published, revealing private exchanges with ministers, criticism of Prime Minister Keir Starmer and details of the vetting process that preceded his appointment.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has withdrawn the appointment of a senior U.S. official to a top leadership role because of delays in U.S. payments, according to a statement published on Monday (1 June).
China's Coast Guard said on Monday it had carried out what it described as "law enforcement" patrols in waters east of Taiwan, saying the move was a response to plans by Japan and the Philippines to begin maritime boundary delimitation talks in an area Beijing claims falls under its jurisdiction.
As the World Cup kick-off approaches, teams from across the globe arrive with contrasting narratives, some seeking redemption, others chasing history, and a few hoping simply to belong.
Okinawa lost transport links and suffered widespread power outages on Monday (1 June) as Severe Tropical Storm Jangmi brought destructive winds and heavy rain to Japan's south-western islands.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment