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.