The Spanish Ministry of Health, led by Minister Mónica García, is considering making smoking more expensive. It wants to increase the price of tobacco and e-cigarettes. Spain is one of the EU countries where tobacco is still the cheapest.
Minister García has pulled the anti-smoking plan out of the drawer. This had already been drawn up by the National Committee for the Prevention of Smoking (CNPT). By levying more taxes, the price of a pack of cigarettes can go up.
The Ministry of Health has not yet discussed the measure with the Ministry of Finance. That is where the decision to implement the tax increase lies.
Electronic cigarettes
At the same time, the Ministry of Health is also considering increasing the price of electronic cigarettes with nicotine. The idea is to create a tax on these e-cigarettes.
Smoking in Spain still cheaper despite price increase
In Spain, the price of tobacco has risen in recent years. The Government Gazette (BOE) published the new price list of some tobacco products on Saturday.
However, you still pay less in Spain than other European countries. In France, for example, a pack of cigarettes costs an average of about eleven euros, while in Spain we pay about six euros less for them.
First smoke-free generation
The minister’s health plan is ambitious. It aims to create the first smoke-free generation in Spain. That is why it is considering more measures. For example, by banning smoking in more places than the current law prescribes. The current tobacco law in Spain, which was introduced in 2010, prohibits smoking in public spaces such as bars, restaurants and offices. But the minister is also considering a smoking ban in other places, such as sports stadiums or beaches. Smoking is already prohibited on a number of Spanish beaches.
Also read: Smoke free beaches in Spain
