Recommendations for Tobacco Control Measures in Spain

According to Gacetin Madrid's report on August 29th, the Spanish civil association "Nofumadores" suggested in its public consultation on the amendment of the "Tobacco Control Law" to completely eliminate all tobacco vending machines within a year. These restrictions will apply to the hotel industry, gas stations, convenience stores, and newsstands, prohibiting any form of tobacco sales.

The president of the association, Raquel Fernández Megina, stated that...

Our primary task should be to take all measures to prevent minors aged 11 to 18 from accessing tobacco and related products. Due to the popularity of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, our country has become the youngest nation with smokers addicted since the war.

The "Nofumadores" document states that in order to reduce the smoking rate to below 5%, further restrictions on sales points must be implemented.

Meigina believes that the existing tobacco monopoly shops are already sufficient to meet demand. In the future, these monopoly shops should gradually have their licenses revoked and not be renewed, while also prohibiting the entry of nicotine pouches into the market. Regulatory agencies should not ignore manufacturers' advertising strategies, as these advertisements depict the products as alternatives for current smokers but are actually aimed at attracting young new customers.

In addition, disposable e-cigarettes have become targets for minors and even children as young as 10 or 11, with their sales typically lacking any regulation. The association argues for a complete ban on disposable e-cigarettes and their corresponding devices, as they not only target minors but also have a significant impact on the environment.

She specifically mentioned the need to gradually increase the legal age for purchasing tobacco and related products, even suggesting a complete ban on tobacco products for the generation born in 2010, raising the legal age for purchasing tobacco and related products to 21 years old, and requiring buyers to show identification. The association stated that this measure would not only restrict the spread of tobacco but also more broadly ban advertising for emerging tobacco and nicotine products, expand smoke-free outdoor spaces, and raise taxes on tobacco and nicotine products.