Spain: Health Ministry adopts new anti-smoking plan

Increasing smoke-free spaces, planning a sharp increase in tobacco taxes and regulating vaping products in the same way as traditional cigarettes are among the key measures in the new bill. comprehensive plan for the fight against and prevention of tobacco use 2024-2027 in Spain. The document, approved on Friday, April 5 by the Spanish Ministry of Health, will be incorporated into a legislative framework formally approved by Parliament.[1].

The current anti-smoking plan is 14 years old and an update was deemed necessary in light of developments in tobacco and nicotine products and the commitment made at EU level to have a tobacco-free generation by 2040.

Increase in smoke-free spaces

The Ministry accepted 94 % of the amendments presented by the different ministries, leaving aside requests such as the autonomous self-regulation of non-smoking areas, defended by the governments of Galicia, Madrid and Aragon. In this regard, the Ministry recalled that, " It is scientifically proven that volunteering has no effect on public health ". The plan provides for the legislative expansion of "smoke-free and e-cigarette aerosol-free spaces in various outdoor collective use environments." This includes, among others, bar and restaurant terraces, bus stops, beaches and other collective use areas such as schools and hospitals. Seven autonomous communities in Spain had already adopted the "Terrazas sin Humo" measure in 2020 and prohibit smoking in these spaces.

On the other hand, while the government wanted a ban on smoking in private spaces such as cars or homes, especially in the presence of minors, this measure has been suspended for the time being.

Tax increases, plain packaging and tighter regulation of vaping

Increasing tobacco taxes is among the concrete measures to encourage the reduction of consumption. Since 2005, tobacco taxes in Spain have increased by 122 %, and more taxes are planned. The most sold packet of tobacco in Spain costs about 4.80 euros, of which 78.4 % (3.76 euros) are taxes. Health Minister Monica Garcia said that tobacco tax levels would be discussed with the Finance Ministry in order to align them with border countries, including France.

Another measure of the new plan is the adoption of the neutral packaging for cigarette packs. For Mónica García, the data indicate that the neutral packaging is an effective measure that helps to ensure that the packaging itself no longer serves as an advertising medium, making it less attractive and also contributing to the decision to quit smoking. Hookah consumption is also among the government's concerns.

Finally, the Ministry wants to align the regulations on vaping and other nicotine products with those on tobacco products. This approach particularly concerns the ban on advertising. All vaping devices, whether or not they contain nicotine, are targeted. In its plan, the Ministry considers that vaping products "constitute a gateway to addiction and tobacco consumption".

Among the civil society organisations that spoke out, the Spanish Association against Cancer (AECC), the National Committee for the Prevention of Smoking (CNPT) and the Council of Nurses expressed their satisfaction on Friday with the approval of the anti-smoking plan.

Keywords: Spain, anti-smoking plan, tobacco-free generation, taxation, tobacco-free spaces, vaping

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[1] Fernando Heller, Spain approves new anti-smoking plan with tax hike and extra 'deterrent' measures, Euractiv, published on April 8, 2024, accessed on April 10, 2024