Gibraltar Health Minister Gemma Arias-Vasquez announced Oct. 26 plans to introduce a Smoke-Free Generations Bill that would prohibit tobacco sales to anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 2009. The proposed legislation would also ban the sale and advertising of single-use vapes, regardless of age, and prohibit nicotine product sales to anyone under 18. Retailers would be required to verify customers’ ages and display age-restriction signage at points of sale. The bill follows a public consultation on a 2025 Command Paper published by the minister.
Tag: Gibraltar
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Gibraltar Moves Toward Generational Tobacco Ban
The Gibraltar government is pressing forward with draft legislation that would prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009. If passed, the law would take effect on January 1, 2027, the date that age group turns 18. Health Minister Gemma Arias-Vasquez, who launched a consultation period in March, said the government received feedback from around 28 to 30 respondents, including retailers and industry stakeholders. Concerns focused on the economic impact for small and medium businesses.
The proposal would not criminalize smoking itself, but rather the sale or transfer of tobacco products to those covered by the ban. Retailers who break the rules could face fines of up to £10,000, or £20,000 and licence revocation for repeat offences. The bill also includes a ban on single-use vapes, regardless of age, and prohibits the sale of vending-machine tobacco, as well as sweets, snacks, or toys imitating tobacco products.
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Gibraltar Increases Cigarette Duty
Image: anetlanda The government of Gibraltar has increased the duty on cigarettes by GIP0.25 ($0.32) per pack, reports The Gibraltar Chronicle.
Health authorities on the British Overseas Territory continue to voice concern about the high number of smokers in Gibraltar, which is about double the rate in the U.K.
A lifestyle survey conducted on the Rock in 2021 showed that nearly one in four people on the peninsula smoke. The majority of smokers (51.9 percent) had started by the age of 16. Health advocates blame low tobacco prices.
“The number of people that smoke in Gibraltar is definitely over 20 percent and it’s nearly twice the rates that they have in the U.K.,” Helen Carter, director of public health, told the Gibraltar Chronicle.
“That’s not surprising taking into account how cheap cigarettes are here in Gibraltar.”
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Smugglers Create Diplomatic Dispute
Image: bennymarty | Adobe Stock Tobacco smugglers fleeing customs agents have caused a minor diplomatic incident between Gibraltar and Spain, reports Reuters.
Gibraltar accused Spain of a “gross violation of British sovereignty” after two customs officials entered the territory during an anti-smuggling operation. Spanish media reported that the Spanish customs agents’ boat lost power while chasing the tobacco smugglers.
Gibraltar’s chief minister, Fabian Picardo, said the facts of the incident need to be investigated before diplomatic action is taken; rocks were reportedly thrown at the customs agents, and a video of the incident shows potential shots fired, but it is unclear who fired them.
Spain’s foreign ministry condemned the attack on the customs agents, who suffered “serious injuries” and said it “categorically rejects the terms” of the statement issued by Gibraltar “as well as the claims of alleged British sovereignty over the territory and waters of Gibraltar contained within it.”
Britain and Gibraltar are in the process of negotiating a treaty to settle Gibraltar’s post-Brexit status and decide how to police the border with Spain.