Spain

Tobacco Control Policies

Spain became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on April 11, 2005.  

Smoke Free Places: Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places and workplaces and on public transportation. Limited exceptions to the smoking ban are provided for designated hotel guest rooms. There are also some limited restrictions on smoking in outdoor public places, such as in playgrounds and at open spaces in health facilities. Sub-national jurisdictions may enact smoke free laws that are more stringent than the national law.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: Tobacco advertising and promotion is generally prohibited with limited exceptions, including at the point of sale, where advertising and promotion is permitted with some restrictions. In addition, the law permits tobacco advertising in publications edited or printed in countries outside the European Union, if these publications are not aimed primarily at the European market and not aimed at minors. All forms of financial or other tobacco sponsorship are prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Rotating pictorial health warnings must occupy 65 percent of the front and 65 percent of the back of most smoked tobacco product packaging. For smokeless tobacco product packaging, one text-only health warning must occupy 30 percent of the front and 30 percent of the back of the package. Misleading packaging and labeling, which could include terms such as “light” and “low tar” and other signs, is prohibited.

Tobacco Taxation and Prices: The World Health Organization recommends raising tobacco excise taxes so that they account for at least 70 percent of retail prices. Tobacco excise taxes in Spain are below these recommendations.

SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENTS COMPLETE SMOKING BAN
Health-care facilities Yes
Private offices Yes
Primary and secondary schools Yes
Public transport Yes
Universities Yes
Restaurants Yes
Governmental facilities Yes
Bars and Pubs Yes
Can subnational jurisdictions enact more stringent smoking restrictions? Yes
BANS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, AND SPONSORSHIP
Domestic TV and radio Yes
Promotional discounts No
Domestic magazines and newspapers Yes
Non-tobacco products or services with tobacco brand names Yes
Outdoor advertising Yes
Tobacco products with non-tobacco brand names Yes
Point-of-sale advertising No
Paid placement in media Yes
Retail product display No
Financial sponsorship, including corporate social responsibility Yes
Internet advertising Yes
Publicity of sponsorships Yes
Free distribution Yes
HEALTH WARNINGS ON SMOKED TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Text warnings describe health impacts Yes
Number of published warnings at any given time 14
Warnings include a picture or graphic Yes
Warnings required to rotate Required
% of principal display areas covered (front and back) 65%
Warnings are written in the principal language(s) Yes
Front 65%
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling Yes
Back 65%
Health warnings on smokeless tobacco products Yes
TOBACCO TAXATION AND PRICE
PRICE OF MOST SOLD BRAND, PACK OF 20 CIGARETTES TAXES ON MOST SOLD BRAND (% OF RETAIL PRICE)
In country currency 5.35 EUR
Total taxes 78%
In US dollars 5.46 USD
Total excise 60%

Sources:

SF, APS, PL: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Legal Website. Available at: www.tobaccocontrollaws.org

Tax: WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2023. Available at: www.who.int/teams/health-promotion/tobacco-control/global-tobacco-report-2023

Last updated: December 3, 2021