Spain: Smoking Drops to Record Low

Smoking rates in Spain have dropped to a record low, reports Euro Weekly News.

In 2024, 25.84 percent of the population smoked, down from 33.1 percent in 2022. Health advocates credit successful government initiatives, including higher taxes on tobacco products, stronger restrictions on tobacco advertising, the expansion of smoke-free zones to include public outdoor areas, and increased funding for smoking cessation services.

Despite these recent declines, tobacco remains a major public health issue in Spain. The Spanish Ministry of Health attributes nearly 50,000 deaths annually to smoking-related illnesses, accounting for nearly 15 percent of all deaths in the country.

Meanwhile, the decline in cigarette smoking has been accompanied by a surge vaping. The number of e-cigarette users has doubled in the past four years, with 19 percent of Spaniards having tried them. Over half of e-cigarette users are opting for nicotine-free versions.

In response to this shift, the Spanish government is introducing new regulations to curb e-cigarette usage, including banning e-cigarettes in indoor public spaces, restricting flavored e-liquids, and limiting them to tobacco flavors. It is also considering plain packaging for e-cigarette products, and discussing the introduction of taxes on e-liquids to mirror tobacco taxes.