Tourists planning a holiday to Spain are set to encounter significantly stricter smoking regulations, following the government's approval of a major draft bill to reform the country's tobacco laws.
What the New Spanish Smoking Ban Includes
The proposed legislation, approved by the government on 7 December 2025, aims to place Spain back at the forefront of public health by banning smoking and vaping in a wide array of public areas. Health Minister Mónica García stated the reforms are a direct response to the stark statistic that tobacco claims approximately 140 lives every day in the country, with around 30% of cancer tumours linked to tobacco use.
The new rules would extend existing restrictions to cover:
- Outdoor terraces of bars and restaurants.
- Public beaches and swimming pool areas.
- Sports facilities and outdoor entertainment venues.
Furthermore, the law seeks to regulate newer nicotine products for the first time, including vapes, tobacco-heating devices, and nicotine pouches.
Citizens Demand Further Protections from Neighbour Smoke
While the government's bill represents a major step, the citizens' association Nofumadores is campaigning for even stronger measures. They are urging the health ministry to introduce protections against secondhand smoke that drifts into private homes from neighbouring properties.
The group argues that smoke entering through windows, terraces, and ventilation ducts violates the privacy and health of non-smokers. They have launched a petition for "smoke-free balconies" across Spain, which has already garnered over 25,000 signatures.
One resident shared a stark example with the association, explaining that her 80-year-old mother cannot use her own terrace because a neighbour's smoke immediately fills her apartment.
Potential Property Disclosure Rule
In a move that could impact the housing market, Nofumadores is also demanding a new property sales rule inspired by legislation in California, USA. They propose that homeowners should be required to formally declare if any previous occupants were smokers, treating secondhand smoke infiltration as an environmental risk.
The draft bill must now pass through the Spanish parliament before becoming law. If successful, it will force a significant behavioural change for both residents and the millions of tourists who visit destinations like Majorca, Menorca, and Ibiza each year, reshaping the experience of Spain's famous outdoor culture.
