What smokers must know « Euro Weekly News

Spain’s love affair with vaping is hitting a rough patch. The government’s gearing up to tighten the screws on e-cigarettes, with new rules set to reshape how Spaniards puff.

From public bans to hefty fines, the changes are sparking heated debates among smokers, health buffs, and bar owners. With 15 per cent of adults vaping regularly—double the rate from 2020—the stakes are high. Here’s the lowdown on what’s coming, why it matters, and how to navigate the haze. The Health Ministry, led by Minister Mónica García, is pushing a sweeping anti-vaping plan, expected to roll out by late 2025. 

The big move? Banning vaping in public spots like restaurant terraces, beaches, and even queues at bus stops. You’ll still be able to vape at home or in private cars, but step onto a crowded plaza, and you’re risking a 200 euro fine. The ministry’s also eyeing plain packaging for vape products, stripping away flashy designs that lure teens. 

Flavoured vapes—think mango or bubblegum—could get the boot, as they’re blamed for hooking kids. Disposable vapes, a favourite for their 8 euro price tag, face an outright ban to cut environmental waste.

Why the clampdown?

Health officials say vaping’s not the harmless cloud it’s sold as. Studies link e-cigarettes to lung damage, heart risks, and cancer-causing chemicals, though they’re still less toxic than tobacco. Teen vaping has skyrocketed, with 20 per cent of 14-18-year-olds using e-cigs, up from 5 per cent a decade ago.

“We’re seeing a new generation addicted,” García warned at a Madrid press conference. The ministry points to 2024 data showing 1,200 hospitalisations tied to vape-related illnesses, mostly among young users. On the flip side, smokers argue vapes helped them ditch cigarettes, which kill 50,000 Spaniards yearly. “It’s my lifeline,” one Malaga barista told local media, fuming over the ban.

Health and culture too

The rules aren’t just about health—they’re about culture. Spain’s outdoor lifestyle, from tapas bars to beachfront chiringuitos, thrives on social vibes. Vaping’s been a fixture on terraces, where 60 per cent of users puff while sipping cañas. 

Bar owners fear the ban will drive customers away, especially tourists who vape. “It’s another hit to business,” grumbled a Barcelona restaurateur, already stung by the post-COVID recovery. 

The hospitality sector, which employs 1.7 million, is lobbying for exemptions, but García is standing firm, citing secondhand vapour risks.

How is public opinion reacting

Social media’s a mixed bag. Some cheer the crackdown, with one user posting, “Terraces should be for eating, not choking on clouds.” 

Others call it overreach, arguing adults should choose for themselves. A 2025 survey found 55 per cent of Spaniards back stricter vape laws, but only 30 per cent want a total public ban.

Smokers are especially peeved about enforcement. Guardia Civil and local police will patrol hotspots, handing out 200 euros fines for first offences, doubling for repeat offenders.

“Good luck policing every beach,” one vaper scoffed online.

Staying on the right side of the law

First, know the no-vape zones: terraces, beaches, public transport stops, and anywhere kids gather, like playgrounds. Stick to private spaces or designated smoking areas, though those are shrinking.

If you’re hooked on flavours, stock up before the ban, but don’t hoard disposables—they’re the first to go. Vaping shops, facing a 20% sales dip, offer discounts, so check local deals.

500 euros if caught indoors at public venues

If you’re travelling, note that airports like Barajas already ban vaping indoors, and fines hit 500 euros for sneaky puffs.

The bigger picture’s murky. Vaping’s rise has cut tobacco use—cigarette sales dropped 10 per cent since 2015—but health costs are climbing.

Vaping illnesses could cost the UK 1 billion euros

The ministry estimates vaping-related diseases could cost the NHS 1 billion euros by 2030. Yet, banning vapes might push users back to cigarettes, which are pricier at 5 euros a pack and deadlier. García’s team insists education, not just bans, is key, with school campaigns planned for 2026.

Decisions without proper data

Critics, though, say the government’s rushing in without enough data. “Show me the long-term studies,” one doctor demanded, noting vaping’s still new compared to tobacco’s decades of scrutiny.

For now, Spain’s vaping scene is changing fast. If you’re a user, plan ahead, dodge the fines, and maybe rethink that habit. The clouds are clearing, but the debate’s just heating up.