Spain Approves Major Smoking Law Reform: What It Could Mean for Lanzarote Residents and Tourists
Spain is preparing for one of the biggest changes to its tobacco legislation in more than 15 years after the Spanish Government approved a draft law that would significantly expand smoke-free public spaces across the country.
If the legislation completes the parliamentary process, the new rules will affect both residents and tourists visiting Lanzarote and the rest of Spain, with smoking and vaping prohibited in many outdoor locations where it is currently allowed.
Important: The Law Has Not Yet Come Into Force
Although Spain’s Council of Ministers has approved the draft legislation, it is not yet law. Before the new rules take effect, the bill must be debated, amended if necessary, and approved by the Spanish Parliament.
This means visitors can continue following the current smoking regulations until the legislation officially comes into force.
Where Smoking Could Be Banned
If approved, smoking and vaping would no longer be permitted in a wide range of outdoor public spaces, including:
- Bar, café and restaurant terraces
- Public beaches
- Outdoor swimming pools
- Parks and national parks
- Outdoor concerts and music festivals
- Sports stadiums and sports facilities
- Bus stops and public transport waiting areas
- Railway platforms
- University campuses
- Children’s playgrounds
- Around entrances to schools, hospitals, museums, libraries and many public buildings.
The aim is to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke and encourage healthier public spaces.
Vaping Included
One of the biggest changes is that electronic cigarettes, vapes, heated tobacco products, nicotine pouches and similar devices would be treated in much the same way as traditional cigarettes.
This means that where smoking is prohibited, vaping would also generally be prohibited under the proposed legislation.
New Rules for Under-18s
The proposed legislation also introduces another significant change.
Currently, Spain restricts the sale of tobacco products to minors. Under the new proposals, it would also become illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to consume tobacco or related nicotine products, rather than simply preventing their purchase.
Why Is Spain Introducing These Changes?
Spanish Health Minister Mónica García says the reforms are designed to modernise tobacco legislation, which was last substantially updated in 2010.
Health officials argue that smoking habits have changed considerably over the past decade, particularly with the rapid rise in vaping and alternative nicotine products, especially among younger people.
According to Spanish health authorities, smoking remains responsible for around 50,000 deaths each year in Spain, making tobacco-related illness one of the country’s leading preventable health concerns.
What Could This Mean for Lanzarote?
For Lanzarote, the changes could have a noticeable impact on daily life.
Visitors enjoying a drink on a seafront terrace may no longer be able to smoke while seated outdoors. Likewise, lighting a cigarette or using a vape on many of the island’s beaches could become prohibited once the legislation takes effect.
Hospitality businesses across Lanzarote would also need to adapt to the new regulations if Parliament approves the bill.
Advice for Tourists
If you’re planning a holiday to Lanzarote or elsewhere in Spain, there’s no need to change your plans just yet.
The proposed legislation has not yet become law, but it is worth keeping an eye on developments over the coming months. Once approved by Parliament, the new rules are expected to apply nationwide, including throughout the Canary Islands.
Final Thoughts
Spain has long been recognised for its strong anti-smoking legislation, having banned smoking inside bars and restaurants in 2011. If Parliament approves this latest reform, the country will take another significant step by extending smoke-free rules to many popular outdoor spaces.
For both residents and holidaymakers in Lanzarote, it will be important to stay informed as the legislation progresses to avoid falling foul of the new regulations once they officially come into for
