Spanish Survey: E-cigarette Usage Rate Is Nearly 20%, The Government Plans To Enact New Regulations To Restrict E-cigarettes

Spanish survey: E-cigarette usage rate is nearly 20%, the government plans to enact new regulations to restrict e-cigarettes

Tobacco consumption in Spain has dropped significantly, but e-cigarette use has increased, and the government plans to introduce new regulations to restrict e-cigarette use, including banning e-cigarettes in public indoor places and limiting flavored e-cigarette liquids.

According to a report by Euro Weekly News on December 4, Spanish tobacco consumption has experienced a significant decline. According to the latest statistics, only 36.8% of the population smoked in the past year, a decrease of 2.2% compared with 2022. This trend has continued for nearly three decades, with the proportion of daily smokers falling to 25.8% in 2024 from 33.1% in 2022.

Initiatives by Spanish authorities aimed at reducing smoking rates include increasing taxes on tobacco products, tightening advertising restrictions, expanding smoke-free areas to public outdoor spaces, health promotions targeting young people and smokers, and increasing funding for cessation services.

While cigarette consumption is declining, e-cigarette use is rising. The number of e-cigarette users has doubled in the past four years, with 19% of Spaniards now trying it, and more than half of e-cigarette users choosing nicotine-free products.

In response, the Spanish government is introducing new regulations to curb the use of e-cigarettes, including: banning e-cigarettes in public indoor places, limiting flavored e-cigarette oils to tobacco flavors, considering ordinary packaging of e-cigarette products, and discussing Taxes on e-cigarette oils are consistent with tobacco taxes. The move comes in response to the growing appeal of e-cigarettes, especially among younger users.