Spain marks 20 years without smoking indoors as new bans are planned

In the early 2000s, Spain had one of the highest number of smokers in Europe, especially among young people. Smoking was common everywhere – inside restaurants, in offices, cinemas and many other public buildings.

Millions of non-smokers also breathed in second-hand smoke without the right to protest.

This all changed in 2005, when the first major anti-smoking legislation in Spain was created and then brought into force on January 1st 2006.

From then on, tobacco consumption was banned in most indoor public spaces and workplaces nationwide, including offices and public transport.

Bars and restaurants were still allowed indoor designated smoking areas if they had some type of ventilation, however, this too was banned five years later in 2011.

Some people celebrated the move toward smoke-free spaces, while others saw it as an attack on personal freedoms and there was a strong backlash against it.  

After a while though, it became accepted and nowadays in Spain it’s rare to see people smoking inside any buildings. A whole generation has grown up seeing this as the norm.

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Now, 20 years after the first anti-smoking laws, Spain is trying to do more to prohibit smoking in some outdoor areas too.

The new Anti-Tobacco Law seeks to protect public health, especially that of vulnerable groups such as minors and pregnant women.

READ ALSO: The public spaces where Spain will ban smoking and vaping

If passed, it will prohibit tobacco consumption on bar and restaurant terraces, on University campuses, around schools and playgrounds, at sports facilities, bus shelters and other outdoor parts of nightclubs and event halls.

These measures will also apply to electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products. 

Currently a draft bill has been lodged in Parliament. It has the approval of the Council of Ministers, but still requires debate and a vote to become legally binding and also be approved by Spanish Congress.  

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This forms part of a wider national plan that includes measures such as enforcing plain packaging for tobacco products and stronger regulation of new devices such as vapes and electronic cigarettes.

Again, however, the move is facing a lot of criticism and anger, as well as praise from the health industry. The hospitality industry in particular aren’t happy with the plans to prohibit tobacco consumption on outdoor terraces, as this is still hugely popular across the country. 

If approved, the law could come into effect nationwide before 2027.

Tobacco consumption in Spain reached its lowest levels in the last 30 years, according to the latest Survey on Alcohol and Other Drugs in Spain 2024. Last year 36.8 percent of people in the country reported having used a tobacco product in previous 12 months, but one in four people still smoke regularly.

This is still much higher than some other countries in Europe such as the UK, Portugal or Sweden.