Brits preparing for a trip to Spain should be aware of the stringent new regulations proposed by the Spanish authorities. The government has recently passed legislation that prohibits smoking and vaping in various outdoor areas, such as beaches and bar terraces.
While smoking and vaping indoors are already banned nationwide in Spain, several popular holiday destinations have implemented fines for individuals caught smoking on their beaches. Despite the legality of e-cigarettes in Spain, many beach locales enforce strict no-vaping policies based on local public health regulations.
For instance, Barcelona’s city beaches have been designated smoke- and vape-free zones since 2022. Similarly, beaches in the Balearic Islands, including Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca, are considered smoke-free areas, which also encompass e-cigarette use.
In regions like Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Gran Canaria, local councils have designated certain beaches as clean-air zones where vaping is prohibited. Offenders can face on-the-spot fines ranging from €30 to €2,000 (£26 to £1,730), depending on their history of violations.
The Spanish government is now proposing a bill that would extend the ban on smoking to beaches, bar and restaurant terraces, bus stops, sports stadiums, public swimming pools, stations, playgrounds, and outdoor events like shows and festivals. The regulations would encompass not only cigarettes but also e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, herbal products, shisha pipes, and tobacco-heating devices.
Although the proposal has been approved, it is not yet law, and the implementation date is not set. Travelers from the UK planning a visit to Spain should stay updated with the latest travel advisories as the new rules are expected to take effect in the near future.
This initiative follows reports from Spain’s health ministry indicating that tobacco-related factors claim the lives of approximately 140 people daily in the country, with around 30% of cancer cases being directly linked to tobacco use.
Furthermore, the legislation includes prohibitions on advertising, sponsoring, or promoting these products, aiming to discourage younger generations from smoking and vaping. A citizens’ group has also urged the government to introduce measures to prevent secondhand smoke from entering homes through windows and ventilation from neighboring properties.
For travelers heading to Spain, it is crucial to ensure that their passports meet the post-Brexit requirements. UK passport holders must have documents issued within the past 10 years and valid for at least three months beyond their planned departure from the Schengen area.
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