Alternative tobacco and nicotine products in Spain

Spain: The National Committee on Tobacco Prevention (CNPT) has urged whatever government results from the 23rd July elections to pass a new Integral Plan for the Prevention and Control of Tobacco Consumption in its first 100 days in power, press reports. The committee hopes for a tobacco-free society by 2030, with a reduction in smoking prevalence from the current 20% to 5%. It said the future government must update the legal framework for tobacco and expand the list of smoke-free locations.

Spain: The incumbent Socialist Party (PSOE) has included the regulation of e-cigarettes and “sweetened tobacco-derived products” in its manifesto for the 23rd July general election, without specifying any particular measures to be adopted. No other party’s manifesto makes any reference to these products. Other parties expected to gain a significant number of seats in the election include the conservative People’s Party (PP), the leftist Sumar and the right-wing Vox.

Spain: European Parliament members (MEPs) Nicolás González Casares and Domènec Ruiz Devesa of the Spanish Socialist Party, have urged the European Commission to regulate novel tobacco products, press reports. González Casares said “the new tobacco devices seek to create a new generation of addicts using electronic elements”. The two MEPs have jointly sent two formal questions to the Commission: the first about the discrepancies among EU countries on public vaping restrictions, calling for an EU-wide ban; the second seeking an explanation for the delay in the review of the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) and denouncing a “lack of clarity and rigour” in the EU approach towards e-cigarettes and heated tobacco.

Spain: The Ministry of Health has launched a public consultation on an amendment to Decree 579/2017, which regulates tobacco products. It aims to address various aspects, including packaging and exposure to novel products, and to regulate herbal smoking products. Though nicotine pouches are not mentioned in the note issued by the ministry, it is likely that they will be included in the amendment. Ideas and proposals can be sent to prevenciondeltabaquismo@sanidad.gob.es until 24th April.