Key Points
- Spain plans to expand smoking restrictions beyond indoor public spaces.
- Restaurant terraces and beaches could be included under the proposed rules.
- E-cigarettes and other nicotine products would be covered by the new framework.
- The government cites public health and youth protection goals.
- The proposal has not yet entered into force.
2Firsts
July 20, 2026
Spain is advancing a new tobacco-control reform that would expand smoking restrictions to additional public areas and bring vaping products under a broader tobacco regulatory framework.
According to media reports, Spain’s health authorities are promoting a new anti-tobacco bill that would ban smoking in more outdoor public spaces, including restaurant terraces and certain beach areas, while applying similar restrictions to e-cigarettes and other nicotine products.
The proposal remains under legislative development and has not yet entered into force.
Spain Plans Wider Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Spain already prohibits smoking in most indoor public spaces, but some outdoor areas remain exempt.
The proposed legislation would expand smoke-free areas to locations including:
● restaurant and bar terraces;
● beaches;
● children’s recreational areas;
● areas near schools and healthcare facilities;
● certain public transport areas.
The government said the expansion aims to reduce public exposure to tobacco smoke and strengthen public health protections.
Vapes Included in New Regulatory Framework
A key element of the proposal is the inclusion of vaping products.
Previously, Spain’s regulatory approach to e-cigarettes differed from that applied to combustible tobacco products in some public settings.
The new framework would cover:
● combustible cigarettes;
● e-cigarettes;
● other inhaled nicotine products.
The government argues that visible vaping in public environments may influence young people’s perceptions of nicotine products and should therefore be addressed through broader regulation.
Government Highlights Youth Protection and Public Health Goals
Spain’s health authorities said the proposed law aims to:
● reduce secondhand smoke exposure;
● limit youth exposure to tobacco and nicotine products;
● expand smoke-free environments.
Across Europe, tobacco-control policies have increasingly expanded beyond cigarettes to include vaping and other emerging nicotine products.
Spain Continues Tightening Tobacco Regulation
Spain has already introduced several tobacco-control measures, including:
● indoor smoking restrictions;
● advertising limitations;
● tobacco packaging rules;
● youth prevention measures.
The latest proposal would further expand regulation, reflecting Spain’s effort to establish a broader framework covering both traditional tobacco products and newer nicotine categories.
For the vaping industry, similar regulatory trends could affect public-use environments, marketing activities and consumer engagement channels.
Industry Impact: Public Vape Use Could Face Further Limits
If approved, the legislation would further restrict vaping in public spaces across Spain.
Potential impacts for the vaping industry include:
● fewer public-use settings for adult consumers;
● changes to brand experience activities;
● adjustments to retail and marketing strategies.
However, the final scope of the restrictions will depend on the final legislative text and implementation rules.
Spain’s proposal reflects a broader European trend toward regulating not only combustible tobacco but also e-cigarettes and other nicotine products within a wider public health framework.
Follow 2Firsts for the latest updates on global tobacco harm reduction, nicotine products and regulatory developments.
Cover Image：Health Minister Monica Garcia ｜source: vijesti
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