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Date Published: 08/12/2021

ARCHIVED - Spain considers banning smoking in cars

ARCHIVED ARTICLE

The draft health plan also promotes generic packaging on cigarettes

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Spain considers banning smoking in cars

The government in Spain has been forced by the priority of the coronavirus pandemic to delay moving forward on its fight against tobacco use, but has pushed ahead this week by finalising its ambitious Comprehensive Plan for the Prevention and Control of Smoking. The proposal contains five main goals and 21 objectives to be achieved in the next four years, among which include banning smoking in cars, introducing generic packaging for brands and equalising the law by imposing restrictions on electronic cigarettes.

The final draft has now been sent to scientific and medical experts as well as all the autonomous communities who will have until December 15 to submit their contributions.

Smoke-free outdoor spaces

The Minister of Health, Carolina Darias, has indicated that Spain intends to follow the standards set by the European Union and the WHO, who aim to achieve a “tobacco-free generation” in the coming years. To this end, the 119-page document has proposed greatly increasing smoke-free spaces before 2023, “especially in outdoor spaces”, an implicit reference to the government’s prior suggestion of banning smoking permanently on bar and restaurant terraces.

The rule change would include "certain spaces of the private sphere", such as "private vehicles".

Electronic cigarettes

In the very near future, the Ministry of Health also wants to modify the current law to reflect “the changes in the market with the appearance of new products”, including e-cigarettes. If approved, the legislation will mean that electronic cigarettes are subject to the same rules and regulations as regular tobacco products.

Generic packaging

Spain plans to follow in the footsteps of countries such as France and Australia by implementing generic packaging for all cigarette brands, as well as banning flavouring additives in tobacco and related products.

In addition, the government plans to crack down on the “advertising, promotion and sponsorship” of tobacco and the covert advertising and promotions on social networks.

Taxation

The Ministry hopes to revise the taxation system to increase the overall price of tobacco products and e-cigarettes in Spain.

Objective

With this proposal, “Spain plans to reach the goal established by the WHO of a relative reduction of 30% in tobacco consumption by the year 2025” while reducing its environmental impact by prohibiting smoking on beaches.

Overall, this country wants to follow the European recommendation of lowering daily smoking rates by 5% by 2040 in general and by 7% for those aged between 14 and 18.

Image: Archive

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