PODCAST: Spain's new smoking law – Fair or too far?

Draft bill proposes banning cigarettes and vapes on bar and restaurant terraces

Close-up of a cigarette in a man's hand
Close-up of a cigarette in a man's hand / Gerard Escaich Folch
Catalan News

Catalan News | @catalannews | Barcelona

October 25, 2025 10:26 AM

It's a familiar scene across Catalonia: someone sitting outside a café, enjoying a coffee and smoking a cigarette.

But it could soon be consigned to the history books, if Spain pushes ahead with a new bill banning smoking and vaping on terraces.

On this episode of Filling the Sink, Gerard Escaich Folch joins Lorcan Doherty to talk about Spain's proposed smoking law.

Press play below to listen, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify

 

Catalonia's Secretary of Public Health, Esteve Fernández, and the head of the Association Against Cancer in Barcelona, Dr Laureano Molins, explain why the law on smoking needs to be changed, and what measures they would like to see included in the final version. 

Joaquim Boadas, the secretary general of both FECASARM (Catalan Federation of Hospitality, Restaurants, and Nightclubs) and Spain Nightlife, outlines the hospitality sector's concerns over one of the most talked-about aspects of the legislation – a smoking ban for cafe, bar and restaurant terraces.

Plus, we hit the streets of Barcelona to find out what smokers and non-smokers alike think of the proposed legislation. 

Get in touch with the podcast team: fillingthesink@acn.cat

Listen to more episodes of Filling the Sink below or find out more here.

 

FOLLOW CATALAN NEWS ON WHATSAPP!

Get the day's biggest stories right to your phone