Spanish Health Minister Mónica García has announced that the government expects to implement its new anti-tobacco law, which will ban smoking and vaping on outdoor terraces, before the summer. This move aims to position Spain once again as a pioneer in tobacco control.
Minister García expressed strong confidence in the upcoming timeline, recalling Spain’s landmark 2010 anti-tobacco legislation. The updated law seeks to reclaim Spain’s position as a global leader in public health by establishing a “tobacco-free generation” through strict bans on smoking and vaping in shared outdoor environments.
Beyond tobacco policy, García addressed mounting friction with medical unions regarding the “Estatuto Marco” reforms. She accused union representatives of “not being honest” with healthcare professionals, claiming they are prioritizing union-specific demands—such as exclusive negotiating spaces—over the genuine welfare of medical staff.
The Minister emphasized that key reforms, such as abolishing mandatory 24-hour shifts, require significant organizational and budgetary commitments from Spain’s autonomous communities. On the political front, García established Sumar’s “red line” for the coalition government, asserting they will not tolerate systemic corruption or allow the PSOE to treat corruption as a standard operating procedure.
