Spain is set to prohibit smoking and vaping on the outdoor terraces of bars and restaurants as part of a legislative overhaul backed by the Ministry of Health. Minister Mónica García has said she is “fully confident” that the measure will come into force before the end of 2026.
Speaking during an interview with RNE, García confirmed that the forthcoming reform of Spain’s anti-tobacco legislation will extend existing smoking restrictions to a wider range of public spaces, including hospitality terraces and vehicles used for work purposes. The aim, she said, is to reduce public exposure to second-hand smoke and re-establish Spain’s role as a leader in tobacco control.
The proposed ban, which forms part of a broader revision of the current Ley Antitabaco, reflects what García described as a strong social consensus. “We are a country that is moving forward, once again at the forefront of anti-tobacco measures,” she said.
Social and Political Support for Expansion of Smoke-Free Spaces
The Ministry of Health has conducted surveys indicating that support for smoke-free terraces is not limited to non-smokers. According to García, even many smokers acknowledge the need to prevent harm to others in shared spaces, especially those who are vulnerable, such as individuals with health conditions, pregnant women, and children.
“There is widespread agreement,” she noted, “that smoking should not be allowed in places where it can affect second or third parties.”
The government intends to bring the proposal before Parliament in the coming months. If approved, it would mark a significant extension of Spain’s public health legislation first introduced in 2005 and later expanded in 2010, which banned smoking in enclosed public venues and workplaces.
Public Health Justification
The Ministry’s rationale for the reform is rooted in established public health data. Tobacco remains one of the principal causes of preventable illness and death in Spain. According to García, smoking is responsible for 30% of all cancer cases and contributes significantly to chronic diseases that, in her words, “can and should be prevented in the 21st century.”
The new legislation will formally categorise additional spaces as smoke-free zones. These include terraces attached to restaurants and cafés, as well as vehicles designated for professional use. The inclusion of these areas is intended to reflect modern patterns of tobacco consumption and ensure consistency in health protections across both indoor and outdoor environments.
Legislative Timeline
While no formal date has been set for the introduction of the bill, the Ministry of Health expects to finalise the draft text by the end of 2025. Parliamentary debate is likely to follow in early 2026, with implementation before 2027. The government’s confidence is reinforced by the relatively low political resistance expected in Congress, given prior cross-party support for tobacco control legislation.
Once passed, the law will prohibit smoking and vaping on all terraces serving food or drink, regardless of whether they are covered or open-air. Enforcement mechanisms and potential sanctions for non-compliance will be outlined in the final legal text.
The legislation will also bring Spain into closer alignment with recommendations from international health bodies, including the World Health Organization, which has consistently advised member states to expand smoke-free environments to reduce exposure to harmful tobacco-related emissions.
National and Regional Coordination
Given Spain’s decentralised public health structure, the Ministry is expected to coordinate with regional governments to ensure uniform enforcement across the country. García indicated that there is general alignment among the autonomous communities on the public health rationale behind the proposed changes.
If implemented on schedule, Spain would join a growing number of European countries that have introduced similar restrictions on outdoor smoking in hospitality settings.
The Health Minister concluded by stressing that the reform is not only feasible but necessary. “We were pioneers more than a decade ago,” García said. “Now is the time to take the next step.”
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