Spain is proposing a law banning smoking and vaping in outdoor spaces, including beaches, terraces, sports venues, playgrounds, and bus stops. The rules would also cover e-cigarettes, shisha, and heated tobacco products, while imposing tighter marketing controls.
The planned regulations could indeed reshape the tourist experience, as Spain has long attracted visitors with its climate, culture, and affordable tobacco products. Health minister Monica Garcia told reporters
We’ll always put public health ahead of private interests … Everyone has a right to breathe clean air and live longer and better lives.
The bill still needs parliamentary approval, when it could also be amended, but it reflects a broader European trend toward stricter tobacco regulation.
Not all such prohibition is working, however. The UK banned the sale of disposable vapes from May 31st, citing environmental harm and concerns over youth uptake. The waste management industry has since reported an uptick in refillable devices being dumped—immediately following their use as disposable vapes.
