A NEW bill has been proposed by Spanish lawmakers to stop the underage consumption of tobacco and provide smoke-free zones across the nation.
The government is ready for cigarettes to be put out for good, and minors could soon face penalties for getting caught lighting up.
Spanish lawmakers are set to approve the new tobacco law today, making its way to the legislative process through Parliament.
The most significant law change is that minors across all of Spain are prohibited from smoking.
Spain’s previous 2005 smoking bill only prevented the sale of cigarettes to minors.
If it passes, the new law will stop minors from consuming any type of tobacco-related products including cigarettes, electronic devices and nicotine pouches.
Anyone under 18 who is caught smoking faces a €200 penalty that would have to be paid by their parents.
The fine can also be substituted with community service.
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The legislation has also expanded smoke-free areas to include terraces at bars and restaurants, public swimming pools, sports facilities, university campuses, and in commercial vehicles.
Under the new rules, smoking would be prohibited within 15 metres (49 feet) of the entry to public buildings, playgrounds, and health and education centres.
Although the federal ban on smoking on bar terrace was approved by the Spanish Cabinet, it will still need the formal parliamentary approval for it to fully go into effect.
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And for the first time ever, Spain is making moves to classify nicotine pouches, herbal inhalation products, hookahs, heated tobacco devices and e-cigarettes the same as cigarettes – regardless of whether the device contains nicotine.
The Council of Ministers first approved of the tobacco reform law last fall.
One of the bill’s intentions that fell through was the implementation of plain packaging of cigarettes.
Over 20 countries already use identical packaging for cigarette packages that don’t have any specific logos or branding, a move backed by several studies that show a lack of package design reduces the consumption of smoking.
Rodrigo Cordoba, a delegate of the National Committee for Smoking Prevention, claimed that 80,000 people could quit the habit of smoking with plain packaging.
“The obstacle is that the Ministry of Health pays more attention to the National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) than scientific reports,” Cordoba said.
However, the bill does add a chapter on the advertisement and promotion of tobacco products.
The text states that all forms of advertising on the equipment, facilities, activities or events by tobacco brands. Additionally, these brands will not be allowed to be visible at festivals or sporting events.
Enhanced protection zones will be established at areas such as healthcare facilities and school grounds.
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Data found in a 2025 ESTUDES survey found that daily smokers between the ages of 14 and 18 years old has reached its lowest number since 1994 at 4.3%.
However, within the last month the same age group showed a higher percentage of 15.5%.
Spain’s Health Minister, Monica Garcia, said that around 140 people die each day from tobacco, a number spread across around 50,000 per year.
Around 30% of cancers are linked to smoking as a risk factor.
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