The Spanish government has approved a sweeping draft law to overhaul the country’s tobacco regulations, directly targeting youth consumption. Driven by a need to protect public health in a nation where a quarter of adults smoke, the reform introduces severe penalties, including fining parents whose underage children are caught smoking.
Under the proposed legislation, alternative nicotine delivery systems—including vapes, nicotine pouches, herbal products, and tobacco-heating devices—will face the exact same regulatory restrictions as traditional cigarettes. Furthermore, the sale of single-use vapes will be entirely prohibited.
To reduce public exposure to secondhand smoke, the law significantly expands smoke-free environments. Smoking and vaping will now be expressly banned in several new outdoor and public venues:
- Restaurant and bar terraces
- University campuses
- Commercial vehicles
- Swimming pools and public transport stations
To enforce these strict new measures, the reform establishes a three-tiered penalty system with hefty financial consequences for violators.
| Offence Level | Fine Range | Example Violations |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | €100 to €600 | Smoking in prohibited places; underage smoking (fines imposed on parents/guardians). |
| Serious | €601 to €10,000 | Selling loose cigarettes; allowing minors access to vending machines; accumulating three minor smoking penalties. |
| Very Serious | €10,001 to €600,000 | Tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship across all media (excluding professional industry publications). |
Spanish authorities stated these reforms are essential to adapt to new forms of nicotine consumption, enforce a total ban on tobacco advertising, and reinforce health protections for the younger generation.
