Spain Sees Significant Decline in Tobacco Consumption: Euro Weekly News

Dec.06.2024
Spain Sees Significant Decline in Tobacco Consumption: Euro Weekly News
Spain sees significant decrease in tobacco consumption, with only 36.8% smoking in the past year, down from 38.9% in 2022.

According to a report from Euro Weekly News on December 4th, tobacco consumption in Spain has seen a significant decrease. The latest statistical data shows that only 36.8% of the population smoked in the past year, a decrease of 2.2% compared to 2022. This trend has continued for nearly thirty years, with the proportion of daily smokers dropping from 33.1% in 2022 to 25.8% in 2024.


The measures taken by the Spanish authorities to lower smoking rates include: raising taxes on tobacco products, stricter advertising restrictions, expanding smoke-free areas to public outdoor spaces, health campaigns targeting young people and smokers, and increasing funding for smoking cessation services.


Despite a decrease in cigarette consumption, the use of e-cigarettes is on the rise. Over the past four years, the number of e-cigarette users has doubled, with 19% of Spaniards having tried them. More than half of e-cigarette users opt for products that do not contain nicotine.


In response, the Spanish government is introducing new regulations to curb the use of e-cigarettes, including banning e-cigarettes in indoor public places, restricting flavored e-cigarette liquids to only tobacco flavor, considering plain packaging for e-cigarette products, and discussing taxing e-cigarette liquids in line with tobacco taxes. This move is aimed at addressing the growing appeal of e-cigarettes, especially among young users.


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