Spain proposes ban on smoking in outdoor public spaces

Spain is moving to expand its smoking ban to outdoor public spaces, including cafe and restaurant terraces, parks, and beaches. The government approved a bill Tuesday that Health Minister Mónica García said aims to "protect public health" and help create a "smoke-free generation."

"The goal is simple: clean air in public spaces should become the norm," García told reporters. She emphasized that pregnant women and individuals with asthma should be able to use restaurant terraces without inhaling smoke from other patrons. The ban would also extend to e-cigarettes.

Additional areas targeted for smoking prohibitions include bus stops, train platforms, university campuses, sports facilities, and swimming pools. The legislation also seeks to prohibit tobacco use by minors and ban all advertising for tobacco and e-cigarettes.

However, the bill requires parliamentary approval, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's minority government does not hold a majority. The initiative could face significant resistance from the hospitality industry, as outdoor dining is popular and economically vital in Spain, especially during warmer months.

According to the Health Ministry, approximately 26% of Spanish adults smoke daily, and tobacco use is linked to 50,000 deaths annually. A 2011 law already banned smoking in all indoor public spaces.

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The goal is simple: clean air in public spaces should become the norm.