Cigarette Prices in Spain (2026)

Spain's 2006 Tobacco Law was the country's first major anti-smoking legislation. It banned smoking in workplaces and most enclosed public spaces, but allowed exceptions for many bars and cafés, which could decide whether to permit smoking depending on their size.

The reform of the Tobacco Law that took effect in 2011 sharply tightened the rules: it introduced a total smoking ban in all enclosed public spaces, including bars, restaurants and nightclubs. The exceptions granted in 2006 were abolished, bringing Spain into line with Europe's strictest countries.

In 2011 tobacco prices also rose significantly in Spain, driven by the economic crisis and the State's need for tax revenue. The increase in cigarette excise duties was intended both to bolster public finances and to discourage consumption against a strained budgetary backdrop.

In 2020 Spain opened a debate on introducing plain packaging, following the example of France and the United Kingdom, in order to reduce the appeal of brands. The measure was discussed by health authorities but ultimately not adopted, leaving the country with standard packs bearing health warnings.

On 21 July 2026, the Council of Ministers approved a bill that would ban smoking and vaping on bar terraces and beaches, in communal swimming pools and on university campuses. Published in the Official Gazette of the Cortes on 11 September 2026, the bill lapsed when the Cortes were dissolved by Royal Decree 806/2026 of 5 October 2026, ahead of the 29 November elections: it will have to be introduced again to become law.