Spain Enacts Strict Smoking & Vape Ban: Fines Up to €600,000

Spain is set to become a much tougher environment for smokers and vapers as authorities have approved a new bill significantly expanding the ban on smoking in public places. As part of a robust anti-tobacco campaign, the legislation introduces what some are calling “draconian” fines for violators, applicable to both locals and tourists.

Under the new rules, smoking and vaping are now prohibited in the following locations:

• Terraces of bars, pubs, and restaurants
• University campuses and children’s playgrounds
• Stadiums, swimming pools, and water parks
• Train stations and public transport stops
• Outdoor festival and concert grounds
• Within a 15-meter radius of schools and hospitals
• Beaches (in specific popular resort areas like Gran Canaria, Tenerife, and Lanzarote)

Crucially, the law unifies all tobacco and nicotine products into a single regulated category. This means the restrictions apply not just to traditional cigarettes but also to vapes, e-cigarettes, hookahs, and even nicotine pouches. Individuals caught violating these rules face fines of up to €1,700, with penalties on some popular beaches like those in Gran Canaria or Tenerife reaching as high as €2,000.

Businesses face even steeper consequences. Establishments failing to display warning signs or enforce the ban could be fined up to €600,000. While the law has sparked discontent among smokers, Health Minister Mónica García affirmed the government’s commitment to prioritizing public health and protecting minors, citing the 50,000 annual smoking-related deaths in the country.