Spain wants to further regulate the sale of new nicotine products

The People's Party (PP) and the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) have reached an agreement within the Joint Congress-Senate Commission for the study of problems related to addictions.[1]. The two parties approved a non-legislative proposal to restrict the sale of e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and related products to authorized and controlled channels, such as tobacconists and specialist shops, excluding the internet and general stores. This initiative, initially presented by the Socialist group and then negotiated with the PP, was adopted with 33 votes in favor, two against (Vox), and one abstention (Junts). Its main objective is to strengthen the protection of children and adolescents while regulating a market that is still insufficiently regulated. However, the example of the recent adoption of the UK's Tobacco and Vapes Bill convinces public health experts that Spain could do even more to protect its youth.

Regulating distribution with a view to protecting young people

The proposal aims to concentrate the sale of these products in outlets designed to meet strict age verification requirements. Sales would thus be limited to tobacconists and specialist shops, excluding discount stores, general supermarkets, and online sales platforms lacking an effective age verification system. The objective is to reduce teenagers' access to these devices, even though Spain already prohibits the sale and consumption of tobacco and nicotine products to minors. According to this approach, sales through clearly identified and regulated channels limit minors' access. Conversely, distribution through non-specialized shops or online would encourage impulsive purchases and complicate enforcement.

The text also aims to improve the traceability of products whose distribution has shortcomings, particularly concerning devices imported without health or tax guarantees. This measure comes amid growing concern about the development of the illegal e-cigarette market in Europe. Studies indicate a massive influx of non-compliant products, often imported from Asia, that do not meet health or tax standards. These products may contain nicotine levels exceeding permitted limits, have incorrect labeling, or include undeclared substances. Their distribution occurs primarily through poorly controlled channels and online sales.

Public health experts urge the Spanish government to go further

Alongside this text, A draft anti-smoking law promoted by the Spanish Ministry of Health is currently in the consultation period.. It plans to greatly expand the number of smoke- and vaping-free spaces, ban puffs, extend the ban on all forms of advertising, promotion and sponsorship to all new tobacco and nicotine products, and proposes financial penalties for parents or legal guardians of underage smokers or vapers.

However, at a time when the United Kingdom has just adopted the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which includes a generational ban on tobacco sales to people born from 2009 onwards, anti-tobacco NGOs such as Nofumadores and the National Committee for Tobacco Prevention (CNPT) are calling on Spain to follow the UK's example by planning the gradual abolition of tobacco product sales and to further regulate new products.[2]. Particular attention is paid to aromas, packaging, point-of-sale display and product characteristics.

According to El Pais, leading medical societies and anti-tobacco organizations believe the country has entered a phase of legislative stagnation. Despite recent progress, experts insist it remains insufficient to combat the nicotine epidemic and warn that, without stricter regulations, vaping could replicate the same cycle of addiction as traditional tobacco, thus jeopardizing decades of public health advancements.

Spain is not the only country to mobilize to follow the example of the United Kingdom: France, Belgium, and Canada have also been invited by public health experts to join this ambitious initiative..

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[1]PSOE and PP are responsible for limiting the sale of vaporizers to controlled channels to protect them., El Plural, published on April 24, 2026, accessed on April 27, 2026

[2]María P. Martínez, The debate that is inconvenient in Spain: prohibiting tobacco from tobacco from 2009, Mundiario, published on April 22, 2026, accessed on April 27, 2026

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