Is Spain the country that smokes the most in the European Union?

Spain is not the country in the European Union where most people smoke. According to Eurostat data from 2023, 24% of the population over 15 years old are smokers, a percentage that coincides with the European average. Countries like Bulgaria (37%) or Greece (35%) are above the prevalence of Spanish smokers, while Sweden (8%) and the Netherlands (11%) record some of the lowest rates. However, smoking continues to be one of Europe’s main public health problems: the European Region – as defined by the WHO, which includes countries outside the EU – has the highest prevalence of smokers in the world, with 24.1%, above the global average (19.5%).

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With the aim of reducing these figures, Brussels has progressively tightened tobacco regulation over recent years. Key measures include the obligation to display graphic warnings on cigarette packs, the prohibition of cigarettes and rolling tobacco with characteristic flavors, such as menthol, and stricter regulation of electronic cigarettes, with limits on nicotine concentration, packaging size, and labeling. Furthermore, the European Parliament has supported expanding smoke-free spaces and extending these restrictions to vapes and heated tobacco products. However, all these recommendations are not mandatory and depend on the legislation of each member state. 

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Spain is now preparing to take a new step with the reform of the anti-smoking law promoted by the Ministry of Health. The project, approved this week by the Council of Ministers to begin its parliamentary processing, plans to prohibit smoking and vaping on bar and restaurant terraces, collective-use swimming pools, university campuses, sports facilities, concerts, and other outdoor events, in addition to strengthening restrictions for minors and equating the regulation of electronic cigarettes with that of conventional tobacco. 

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Publication prepared within the framework of the ‘Europa de Vanguardia’ project, with the support of the European Parliament and following the editorial criteria of ‘La Vanguardia’