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ARCHIVED - New smoking regulations in Spain consider raising the price of cigarettes
The experts are also considering banning smoking in public places in Spain
Tobacco in Spain is cheaper than in 13 of the 27 EU countries, with each pack costing an average of just 4.53 euros. It is unsurprising, then, that consumption increased in 2017 for the first time in a decade, with smokers in neighbouring France regularly flocking across the border to buy cigarettes at half the price.
To counteract the increase in smoking, the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) has submitted a number of measures for the update on anti-smoking legislation in Spain with the aim of reducing tobacco consumption by a further 34%.
Increase in pricing
The first measure recommended by SEPAR is to raise the price of tobacco, which is currently set at just 23 cent per cigarette. Taking it a step further, the society has suggested that the cost of all smoking products, including rolling tobacco, water pipes and electronic cigarettes should be increased.
It is hoped that a significant price hike will reduce tobacco consumption, which kills 60,000 people each year in Spain.
Ban in public places
In an attempt to replicate the decline in consumption when smoking was banned indoors, the pulmonologists have suggested that it now be prohibited in all public places. While the Spanish government is considering banning smoking on outdoor terraces permanently, SEPAR want to enforce the “prohibition of tobacco consumption in open public spaces” including sports stadiums, beaches and parks.
Change in packaging
Thirdly, the group has recommended that Spain follow the lead set by Australia and New Zealand, which both have very low smoking rates, by switching to generic branding for cigarette packets. If this measure is enforced, tobacco products wouldn’t be allowed to display any logos or images on packs, a mechanism which SEPAR said “has resulted in fewer sales and lower rates of smoking in the countries that have implemented it".
Regulate electronic products
The society has called for stricter regulation around the sale and advertising of electronic cigarettes and other smoking devices, which they believe should be treated just the same as cigarettes.
Health care
Finally, SEPAR has asked the Ministry of Health to increase health care for smokers looking to quit through the creation of dedicated smoking cessation units throughout the health system.
While it is relatively cheap to smoke in Spain, for now at least, Ireland sits at the opposite end of the scale with the most expensive tobacco products in the EU, at an average of 12.81 euros per pack.
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