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Spain’s regulatory battle over nicotine products is heating up, but the centre-right People’s Party (PP) faces significant hurdles in pushing its proposed amendments through Parliament without having a majority.
The party’s motion for tailored rules on e-cigarettes and nicotine alternatives has sparked debate amid concerns about the rising popularity of these products among young people. While the proposal aims to restrict advertising and limit access to fruity- and sweet-flavoured e-cigarettes and nicotine products, its chances of passing are uncertain.
On the one hand, the PP’s negative position towards peripheral nationalism has made an alternative majority impossible, despite the Spanish parliament having a right-wing majority; on the other hand, if the PP agrees on a proposal with the far-right party Vox, it may need just six more votes to get its proposal passed. (The Spanish lower chamber’s absolute majority is 176 seats, out of 350. The PP together with Vox would give them 170 votes.)
TobaccoIntelligence legal analysts think there are moderate chances that the PP could find support from Basque or Catalan right-wing peripheral nationalists likely to be more open to industry concerns regarding a non-political topic. Peripheral nationalists could also want to use this opportunity to reveal the fragility of the current Spanish government (under president Pedro Sánchez of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party, PSOE) in a context of increasing political volatility due to corruption scandals.
Can negotiation and compromise work?
The PP’s focus on specific regulations for nicotine pouches and confining all nicotine products to licensed tobacconists, much like traditional tobacco, reflects an attempt to reduce under-age access. However, garnering enough support in a fragmented Parliament will be a tough battle.
Even so, the significance of the PP’s motion extends beyond the immediate likelihood of success. As the current left-wing government considers stricter measures – such as outright bans on flavoured e-cigs and nicotine products as well as mandates for neutral packaging – the PP’s more moderate approach may still influence the regulatory landscape, opening the door for potential negotiations.
The contrast between the PP’s proposal and the government’s stringent plans could also present an opportunity for the ruling coalition, which has struggled to maintain a stable parliamentary majority. Adopting elements of the PP’s proposal might help bridge the divide, blending public health goals with industry concerns about overregulation. For businesses, the PP’s plan would be far less disruptive than a full ban on flavours or bringing in standardised packaging.
Whether or not the PP’s motion succeeds, it has already changed the narrative, signalling that the government’s approach to nicotine regulation is still in flux. As the debate evolves, public health advocates and industry players alike will be watching closely to see if the PP’s stance sways the final outcome.
Ultimately, this clash over nicotine regulation highlights a broader challenge: finding the middle ground between protecting public health and adapting to a rapidly changing market. The PP’s proposal may not win outright, but it could serve as a template for a more flexible regulatory framework – one that tempers the appeal of nicotine products to young people while allowing for alternatives to traditional smoking. The coming weeks will tell if the motion becomes a catalyst for change or remains a mere political gesture.
– Antonia Di Lorenzo TobaccoIntelligence staff
Photo: Des Mc Carthy
