The Council of Ministers approved on Tuesday the bill updating the 2005 anti-tobacco regulations. The law expands smoke-free spaces and equates electronic cigarettes and other products with traditional tobacco.
The Ministry of Health, led by Mónica García, has sent the text to parliament for legislative processing. The minister highlighted that tobacco causes 50,000 deaths annually and stated that the reform aims to reduce smoke exposure, prevent youth consumption and facilitate quitting.
The law bans smoking and vaping on maritime and fluvial beaches, hospitality terraces, collective pools, sports facilities, outdoor events and vehicles with drivers. A 15-meter perimeter without consumption is set around educational and health centers and children's parks.
Minors will be prohibited from both the sale and consumption of tobacco and related products, with fines between 200 and 600 euros for their parents or guardians, replaceable by community service. The rule limits sales to specialized shops and strengthens advertising restrictions across all media, including vending machines and the internet.
