The Government has approved a draft law (anteproyecto de ley) to restrict smoking in outdoor spaces, including bar terraces, and addresses the notable increase in smoking among young people using tobacco and non tobacco products.
The measures are in line with the objectives of the European Plan to Fight Against Cancer and the European Code Against Cancer that promote the significant reduction in the prevalence of smoking before 2024.
One of the fundamental aspects of the law is the inclusion of a definition and a specific regulation relating to products related to tobacco, especially those used by young people, even if they don´t contain nicotine, but are linked to the act of smoking or inhaling and which increase the risk of going on to smoking conventional tobacco products.
These include: electronic cigarettesa; bags of nicotine for oral use; and products based on herbs used for smoking, vaporizing or inhaling, that will be subject ot the same legal restrictions as conventional tobacco products.
Moreover, manufacturers will be obliged to include data on the content of nicotine and characteristics of all these products.
The Draft Law prohibits smoking (or using products included in the list above) in closed public spaces and in a wide list of outdoor spaces such as bar terraces; outdoor venues of public shows and concerts; sports installations; childrenś parks; transport stations; education centres, amongst others.
The law prohibits the sale to and consumption of the products listed above by minors (in order to reinforce the protection of children and adolescents).
It prohibits all forms of publicity and sponsoring, direct or indirect, of the products mentioned above, in all medias of communication, including digital.
All public spcaes where the prohibition applies must have clear signs.
There will be a specific regime of sanctions to enforce the prohibition.
The draft law must pass through Congress before coming into effect.
