Spain panic over new rule as fears erupt tourists will abandon holiday hotspot

Spain's hospitality industry has blasted a new rule by issuing a stark warning that the holiday hotspot could isolate itself, potentially negatively impacting tourism. Last Tuesday, Spain approved a new nationwide ban on smoking on terraces.

The new law bans smoking at all outdoor venues, including beaches, bars and restaurant terraces and is part of the draft amendment to Law 28/2005 of December 26 on health measures against smoking and regulating the sale, supply, consumption and advertising of tobacco products. Ministers say they hope it will create a "smoke-free" society. However, Spain's hospitality sector is sounding the alarm that the country may have shot itself in the foot. Hostelería de España, who represent restaurants and bars, have highlighted that within Europe "only Sweden maintains a similar total ban".

The organisation says this could have a "negative impact on tourism and the country's international image" as holidaymakers who smoke will take their business as well.

Hostelería de España say popular European countries such as France have chosen to exclude terraces from their restrictions so it does not harm their hospitality industry or tourism.

A spokesperson for Hostelería de España said: "Furthermore, it would cause particular confusion among the millions of tourists who visit Spain every year - more than 94 million in 2024 - in a country where the tourism sector is one of the main economic drivers.

"It would also place an added burden on workers in the sector, who would be forced to take on surveillance duties that are not their responsibility, which could lead to undesirable situations with customers."

It also says the measure will have "very limited effectiveness", as smokers will instead have a cigarette in enclosed spaces such as their homes, "increasing exposure to smoke".

President of Hostelería de España, José Luis Álvarez Almeida, insisted "terraces are a key space" for the economy.

He said: "It is essential to ensure coexistence and avoid imposing additional burdens on professionals in the hospitality sector.

"Terraces are a key space for the social and economic life of the country, and any decision must seriously assess its real impact in terms of employment, business activity, tourism competitiveness and customer experience."

Indoor smoking in Spain has been banned since 2011, though a number of beaches across the country have also banned smoking.

Smoking is also banned on Benidorm's Levante and Poniente beaches, as well as beaches in both Valencia and Benicassim. Authorities in the Balearic Islands - including Ibiza, Majorca, and Menorca - introduced rules preventing beach-goers from smoking along their coastlines as well.