Spain has made significant progress in reducing tobacco use. Smoking rates reached record lows according to the latest EDADES survey, published on Tuesday. In less than 30 years, the country has achieved a remarkable 10% reduction in tobacco consumption.
As of 2024, just 36.8% of the population reported having smoked in the past year—a 2.2% drop compared to 2022. The number of daily smokers has also decreased notably. In 2022, 33.1% of Spaniards smoked every day. Today, that figure has fallen to 25.8%. Moreover, 67.7% of these smokers have expressed a desire to quit. Despite this progress, tobacco remains the second most commonly used drug in Spain, following alcohol.
Recent government measures to discourage smoking
The Spanish government has introduced several key measures in recent years aimed at discouraging smoking. These include increasing taxes on tobacco products, implementing stricter regulations on advertising, and expanding smoke-free zones to include outdoor public areas such as parks and playgrounds. Additionally, awareness campaigns highlighting the health risks of smoking have been launched. These are targeting both young people and adults. The government has also increased funding for smoking cessation programs, making resources more accessible to those looking to quit.
Tobacco-related deaths
According to the most recent data from the Spanish Ministry of Health, tobacco use is responsible for approximately 50,000 deaths annually in Spain, accounting for around 15% of all deaths in the country. These figures highlight the severe impact of smoking on public health.
Dr. Fernando Fernández Bueno, oncological surgeon and spokesperson for the Platform for Tobacco Harm Reduction, emphasised during the VIII Summit on Tobacco Harm Reduction the importance of increasing taxes on traditional tobacco products and following international examples like Sweden and the United Kingdom. He advocated for more smoke-free areas, especially in locations frequented by young people, and the introduction of plain packaging for cigarettes. Furthermore, he highlighted that the fight against tobacco should focus on the harmful effects of tobacco smoke, rather than nicotine alone.
E-cigarettes on the rise
While traditional cigarette smoking has declined, the rise of electronic cigarettes presents new challenges. The use of e-cigarettes has doubled in the past four years. 19% of the population having tried them at least once. Many individuals are not using e-cigarettes as a step towards quitting but rather as a gateway to relapse. Encouragingly, over half of e-cigarette users report using nicotine-free versions.
Regulation to control use of e-cigarettes
In response to the rising popularity of e-cigarettes, the Spanish government has implemented several regulatory changes to control their use. The use of e-cigarettes is now prohibited in indoor public spaces, including bars, restaurants, and workplaces, in an effort to protect non-smokers from secondhand vapour. Additionally, there are plans to ban flavoured e-liquids, allowing only tobacco-flavoured options, to reduce their appeal among young people. The government is also considering implementing plain packaging for e-cigarettes, similar to traditional tobacco products, to further deter consumption. Furthermore, discussions are ongoing about introducing taxes on nicotine-containing e-liquids, aligning them with conventional tobacco taxes.
Cannabis consumption sees an uptick
Meanwhile, cannabis remains the most widely used illegal substance in Spain. Nearly 44% of Spaniards have tried cannabis at some point, with occasional usage on the rise. The survey notes a shift in cannabis acquisition. More Spaniards now cultivating their own supply or sourcing it from friends or cannabis clubs, reflecting a move towards domestic production.
Public perception and alcohol use
Public perception of the risks associated with tobacco use has been a key factor in its decline, with 92.7% of the population recognising the dangers of daily smoking. However, alcohol consumption patterns have remained largely unchanged. While 92.9% of Spaniards have consumed alcohol at some point in their lives, the percentage of those who binge drink has slightly decreased since 2022, from 16.7% to 14.7% in 2024.
Efforts to reduce the availability of illegal drugs have led to a noticeable drop in perceived access, but alcohol remains widely available and less frequently seen as a major health risk. Only 52.8% of those surveyed consider daily drinking to be dangerous, highlighting a disparity in risk perception compared to tobacco and other substances.
Also read: Spain discusses new anti-smoking plan