Spain’s government has officially approved a decree banning the sale of flavored heated tobacco products (HTPs), effectively aligning their legal status with conventional cigarettes. Driven by Health Minister Mónica García, this regulatory tightening aims to combat the country’s high daily smoking rate—currently at 26% of adults, well above the global average—by eliminating appealing flavors that often serve as a gateway to addiction.
The new regulation strictly targets products utilizing actual tobacco leaf via pyrolysis, rather than liquid-based e-cigarettes. Under the decree, the following restrictions will be enforced:
- Component Restrictions: Filters, rolling papers, packaging, and capsules cannot contain any flavorings, aromas, or techniques designed to modify the taste or intensify the smoke.
- Ingredient Limits: Filters, papers, and capsules are explicitly prohibited from containing any tobacco or nicotine.
- Graphic Labeling: All HTP exterior packaging must display specific color photographs and the explicit warning: “Tobacco smoke contains more than 70 carcinogenic substances.”
While this current decree focuses exclusively on heated tobacco, Health Minister García confirmed that broader regulations are imminent. The government is actively developing a Comprehensive Plan for the Prevention and Control of Smoking. This upcoming legislation will target standard liquid vapes—which García criticized for featuring sweet flavors and resembling toys—and will expand smoke-free spaces across Spain to further protect public health.
