Spain’s new anti-smoking plans have been revealed and include expanding places where smoking is prohibited, an increase in tobacco taxes, and vape being made equal to cigarettes, reports Euractiv.

The new rules that were approved by the Spanish Health Ministry will be included in a new legislative package that will need to be approved by Parliament.
“As of today (Friday), this plan is a reality and this achievement is a source of national pride”, said Health Minister Monica Garcia, a member of the left-wing Sumar platform, a junior partner in Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s (PSOE/S&D) coalition government.
The new Plan for the Prevention and Control of Smoking 2024-2027 aims to prevent the onset of smoking, encourage smoking cessation and reduce environmental exposure to tobacco emissions, among other things, reports Euractiv. It is also being considered whether smoking will be banned on bar and restaurant terraces, which has caused some controversy due to Spain’s high number of tourists. Currently, the plan includes the “legislative extension of smoke-free and e-cigarette aerosol-free spaces in certain community and social outdoor environments”, which means there is no ban but a “recommendation” not to smoke in these public spaces, according to Euractiv.
The new tobacco plan also foresees higher taxes, despite tobacco taxes having risen by 122 per cent since 2005. Tobacco packaging will also be targeted and become more neutral with larger health warnings. Finally, according to Euractiv, the plan envisages banning additives that “give flavours to tobacco and related products (in line with what the EU agrees)”.