On Tuesday, July 21, Spain’s Council of Ministers approved a draft bill for a new anti-tobacco law that will ban smoking and vaping across numerous outdoor public spaces, including beaches and restaurant terraces in the Canary Islands. This legislative update marks the first major overhaul of Spain’s smoking regulations since the 2010 Anti-Tobacco Law, which banned smoking inside public venues.
This draft bill aims to expand smoke-free environments, protect minors from nicotine exposure, and establish uniform rules across all Spanish regions. However, the approved text is not yet active law; it must first undergo parliamentary debate and potential amendments in both the Congress of Deputies and the Senate.
The Legislative Timeline and Next Steps
Because the approved text is currently a draft bill, residents and tourists in the Canary Islands will not face immediate fines. The document must navigate the standard legislative process, during which political groups can propose amendments before the final text is published in the State Official Gazette (BOE).
According to the Ministry of Health, this parliamentary process typically takes several months. Analysts expect the final law to be enacted and enforceable by early 2027. Until the new law officially takes effect, the current 2010 regulations remain active, supplemented only by existing municipal bylaws in specific Canary Island towns.
New Smoke-Free Spaces in the Canary Islands
The primary objective of the draft bill is to expand the list of outdoor areas where smoking and vaping are prohibited. In the Canary Islands, this will alter daily habits on beaches, in dining areas, and around public transport hubs.
National Ban on Beach Smoking
Under current rules, individual Canary Island municipalities decide whether to ban smoking on their coastlines. Towns like Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Puerto del Rosario, Yaiza, and San Bartolomé de Tirajana already enforce local beach bans. The new law will standardize this policy, making every beach in the archipelago smoke-free. This shift aligns with changing tourism expectations in the region, where visitors increasingly prioritize clean natural environments and silent travel trends that reject environmental pollution.
Hospitality Terraces and Outdoor Dining
The ban on smoking and vaping on the outdoor terraces of bars, cafes, and restaurants represents a major shift for the local economy. The hospitality sector is a driver of the Canary Islands’ tourism-dependent economy. The final text will define specific operational details, such as mandatory physical distances from venue entrances, the presence of other diners, and the structural classification of open versus partially enclosed terraces.
Other Restricted Outdoor Areas
The draft bill also designates several other outdoor locations as smoke-free zones:
- Public and community swimming pools.
- Children’s playgrounds and recreational parks.
- Outdoor waiting areas for public transportation, including bus stops and ferry terminals.
- Exterior grounds of educational institutions and healthcare facilities.
- Private vehicles when minors are present.
| Public Space | Current Regulation (Canary Islands) | Proposed Draft Bill Regulation |
|---|---|---|
| Beaches | Regulated by local municipal bylaws | Strict national ban on smoking and vaping |
| Restaurant Terraces | Smoking permitted outdoors | Complete ban (specific distance rules pending) |
| Public Pools & Parks | Generally permitted outdoors | Classified as smoke-free zones |
| Private Cars | Permitted | Banned if minors are passengers |
New Rules for Vapes, E-Cigarettes, and Minor Protection
The draft bill addresses the rise of electronic nicotine delivery systems by treating e-cigarettes, vapes, and heated tobacco products exactly like traditional cigarettes. Once the law is active, vaping will be banned in all the same locations as smoking, including beaches and terraces.
To curb youth nicotine addiction, the draft law introduces several targeted measures:
- Sales Controls: Tighter verification processes for online and mobile application sales to prevent minors from acquiring vaping products.
- Flavor Restrictions: New limits on characterizing flavors and aromas in e-liquids, particularly sweet or fruit flavors designed to appeal to youth.
- Advertising Bans: Extended restrictions on the promotion, sponsorship, and advertising of vaping devices and related accessories.
- Packaging Updates: Larger, more direct health warnings on vape packaging, mirroring those found on traditional cigarette packs.
Impact on the Canary Islands Hospitality Sector
With more than 20,000 active hospitality businesses in the archipelago according to the Canary Islands Institute of Statistics (ISTAC), local business associations are closely monitoring the bill. Industry representatives have formally requested clear guidelines and reasonable transition periods to allow businesses to adapt to the terrace restrictions without facing sudden financial losses.
Local authorities plan to launch public information campaigns to prepare business owners, residents, and international tourists for the transition before the penalties become enforceable in 2027.
