The Spanish consumer association (AEC) has disseminated a survey in which more than 3,500 people have participated, who question the draft Antitabaco Law promoted by the Ministry of Health. According to their results, 71% of those consulted “would consume conventional cigarettes again” if alternative products are prohibited; Only 18% see the prohibition of smoking on terraces and outdoor spaces adequate; and 67% believe that “prohibitionist” policies can favor smuggling. The association announces formal allegations to the health text.
The Ministry of Health led by Mónica García on the other hand, explains that the reform seeks to “denormalize” consumption and protect third parties by expanding smokeless spaces. The government’s plan includes equate electronic cigarettes and other nicotine products to conventional tobacco, and prohibits smoking and vaping in new areas such as bars and restaurant terraces, marques or sports enclosures. It also seeks to strengthen the protection of minors, providing sanctions when they are surprised, smoking or vaping, a fine that “sometimes without knowledge” will fall on parents or legal guardians.
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Lázaro Cáceres, hotelier, on the prohibition of smoking on the terraces: “The problem is that they force us to face the client. It is what fits us, that we have to be the police and over losing money”
The debate arrives at a time of cycle change, as Spain records minimal tobacco consumption in three decades, according to the Macro -Counting Ages 2024 (You can consult in this link). The report confirms a decrease in occasional tobacco consumption with respect to 2022 and confirms that men smoke more than women. Among the substances with the highest prevalence in the last 12 months they continue to appear alcohol (76.5%) and tobacco (36.8%). Now, is it necessary to change a law and make it more prohibitive?
Vapeo is 95% less harmful than tobacco
On this question, one of the AEC statement axes speaks is the defense of the so -called “products without combustion, with the” very cited “argument that they would be” up to 95% less harmful “than tobacco. That figure comes from British evaluations, which can be consulted in Official website of the United Kingdom Government. In 2015, Public Health England estimated that vapeo is “about 95% less harmful” than smoking; In 2022, the Office for Health Improvement and Tiggments (OHID) updated the evidence and said that vaping “is only a fraction of the risk” of smoking, clarifying that the most prudent message is that last statement. They are not harmless products, and their use by minors is advised.
The Health Text has lit to the hospitality industry, which closets the prohibition of smoking on terraces for its impact on the business and customer experience; Part of the sector claims dialogue and less punitive measures. Medical societies and anti -tabaco entities, on the other hand, applaud that spaceless spaces are expanded, although they ask to go further with neutral packaging and taxation.
The AEC survey also associates the “prohibitions” with an increase in smuggling. The available evidence is heterogeneous already comes from industry funded reports; Security forces periodically intensify operations against illegal sale. In any case, public health experts remember that the key to avoid irregular markets is an effective application of the standard and control of sales channels, physical and online.