The Debate Over Smoking Regulations in Spain
A clear debate is unfolding within Spanish society regarding the total war on smoking in our country. On this Thursday edition of “Por Fogones,” we address how we perceive this controversy.
A Step Towards Public Health Protection
Spain has taken a decisive step towards public health protection with the ban on smoking in the terraces of bars and restaurants. I openly celebrate this decision, as for far too many years, non-smokers have been relegated indoors, forced to choose between inhaling smoke or forgoing the pleasure of enjoying a meal or coffee in the open air. Terraces, which should be spaces for camaraderie and enjoyment, have essentially been off-limits to those of us who prefer clean air.
This is not a battle against smokers but rather a defence of the right of all citizens to enjoy smoke-free environments in public recreational spaces. Numerous medical studies back up the obvious: tobacco smoke not only annoys but also causes illness. In an era where health and prevention dominate societal concerns, it is contradictory to maintain exceptions that prioritise cigarettes over general well-being.
A Surprising Reality Among Hospitality Owners
What is surprising is that, after speaking with many hospitality business owners, I have found a reality quite different from the opposition narrative propagated by their federations. The vast majority of bar and restaurant owners I have consulted recently are in favour of the measure. They argue a basic point: terraces will no longer be exclusive spaces for smokers and will attract clientele who previously avoided them. Their staff will no longer be exposed to customers’ smoke, the culinary offerings will be enhanced without the interference of unpleasant fumes and odours, and there will be less necessity for cleaning up butts and overflowing ashtrays.
Some owners express relief at no longer having to act as “police” mediating disputes between tables arguing over tobacco smoke. Ultimately, they see this as an opportunity to balance their clientele, broaden their customer base, and modernise their offerings.
Concerns Over Economic Losses
However, the official discourse from organisations such as Hostelería de España and the Federación de Empresarios de Hostelería y Turismo de Las Palmas (FEHT) insists on dramatising potential economic losses. This is a familiar narrative: similar concerns were raised when smoking was banned indoors in 2011, and time has proven that the hospitality sector not only survived but successfully adapted. In fact, both during that time and now, the fears appear more related to resistance to change than to any real, quantifiable risk of massive losses.
At Por Fogones, we have spoken with various hospitality owners from Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Tenerife, representing different types of businesses. Only one openly opposes this ban, while the others—representing a small sample of about twenty venues—are pleased with it and believe it will be beneficial for their staff, clientele, and businesses.
A Cultural Change Beyond Just Legal Regulations
The ban on smoking in terraces is not merely a legal change; it is a cultural one. It updates our definition of what constitutes a communal space. Just as we accepted seat belts and regulations on drinking and driving, today no one would think of reversing those victories. The same will occur with smoking on terraces: it will become part of the norm, while coexistence will become healthier and more balanced. And if one doubts this, let us recall how we once smoked on planes, in nightclubs, or restaurants—something that today would be utterly inconceivable. In fact, in movies from those years, younger viewers often find it hard to believe that such an era existed.
I firmly position myself among those who celebrate this measure. Terraces became meeting places during the pandemic, and now, free of smoke, they have the opportunity to become truly inclusive spaces where everyone can enjoy the outdoors without having to pay a toll in the form of tobacco smoke, embodying what many already know: a clean and healthy environment does not detract; it adds value.
