No more bubble on terraces, beaches and stadiums? Spain wants to prohibit smoking

The Spanish government approved at the Tuesday meeting a draft of the anti -smoking law, which equates smoking of traditional tobacco and electronic cigarettes, and also prohibits smoking, among others on the terraces of bars and restaurants, beaches or stadiums.

– We will always submit health over commercial interests. Everyone has the right to breathe clean air and a longer, better life – said Monica Garcia at the Tuesday press conference of Minister of Health.

The bill, which must still be approved by parliament, also limits the advertisement and promotion of tobacco products and prohibits the use of disposable electronic cigarettes.

In addition, it introduces a ban on smoking at a distance of 15 meters from healthcare facilities, educational centers or playgrounds for children; However, it does not introduce an order to use uniform packaging of tobacco products.

The tobacco sector, as well as associations from the hotel and catering industries, reacted negatively to the suggestions for changes.

“The Spanish gastronomy industry determines the ban on smoking on terraces as disproportionate,” wrote the Hosteleria de Espana gastronomy industry on the portal X.

“It is disproportionate that you have to inhale someone else's smoke on the terrace. Disproportionate and carcinogenic. Let's move to the 21st century,” the Minister of Health answered.

A similar project tightening anti -smoking regulations from July was introduced by neighboring France, although there was a ban on smoking on the terraces of bars and restaurants.

According to data from the Ministry of Health, over 50,000 each year in Spain. people die for reasons related to smoking.

From Madrid Marcin Furdyna (PAP)

MRF/ JM/