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Spain moves forward with smoking ban on bar and restaurant terraces
If passed, the law will ban smoking on all terraces and in public spaces including pools, parks and playgrounds across Spain
The Spanish government has taken another step in its fight against tobacco and this one could affect millions of people across the country. The Council of Ministers approved a draft bill just days ago that could change something as commonplace as having a cigarette on a terrace with your morning coffee.
It's not set in stone yet as the entire parliamentary process still lies ahead, but if this bill passes, smoking outdoors will be a thing of the past.
Terraces have been one of the few places where smokers felt they could light up in peace, but that could all be about to change. Most importantly, the ban doesn't just apply to traditional cigarettes. E-cigarettes, hookahs and heated tobacco are all included as well. In other words, everything. Smoking options that seemed less harmful are now facing the same level of restriction.
Some harsher measures against tobacco like plain packaging or price increases were left out, but this law is still pretty significant.
One of the clearest measures is the ban on smoking on all types of terraces, regardless of whether they're enclosed, semi-covered or completely open-air. Places that until now served as the last refuge for smokers will be off limits. This rule has already been applied in some regions for years and could now be extended to the entire country.
Smoking will also be prohibited in public swimming pools, bus shelters, train stations, playgrounds and even university campuses. Near hospitals, schools and community centres, there will be a 15 metre no-smoking zone. Concerts, outdoor performances and local festivals are also being added to the list of smoke-free spaces.
The government has long been threatening it, and this law finally hones in on new smoking devices as well. It doesn't matter if it's an e-cigarette with or without nicotine, a heated tobacco product or a mint-flavoured shisha. All are subject to the same restrictions. Vaping on a terrace will be just as punishable as lighting a conventional cigarette.
On top of that, the sale of single-use electronic cigarettes is being banned completely. The Ministry of Health justifies this for two reasons. First, their environmental impact and second, their appeal to teenagers due to their design, sweet flavours and low cost. Brands will be given a one year grace period to adapt and clear their existing stock though.
If it comes into force, breaking this law will result in fines up to €600,000 in the most serious cases, and it's not just smokers who will be penalised but also those who fail to enforce the law. Bars will have to display signs clearly informing customers of the ban. This won't be optional for the owner, it'll be mandatory.
The draft bill also targets tobacco advertising. All forms of promotion are prohibited, so there will be no more giveaways, raffles, discounts or tobacco brand presence on terraces or at events. Sponsorship of concerts, festivals or sporting competitions will also be banned. According to the Ministry of Health, the goal is to sever any link between tobacco and leisure activities, especially those that reach young people.
Although the text has already been approved as a draft bill, it's not yet a final law. This means that a public consultation period is now beginning, during which associations, companies, regional governments and citizens can submit comments. Once this period has passed, it'll be the turn of the Ministry of Health, which will have to review the resulting text and take it back to the Council of Ministers.
If it's approved again, it will go to Congress and then to the Senate. Only after passing all these steps will it become law. Although the controversy surrounding the ban on smoking on terraces is already brewing, there are still several months to go before anything becomes official.
Image: Archive
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