Portugal To Ban Smoking

The Portuguese government has proposed new legislation aimed at expanding the existing smoking ban to outdoor areas, including covered terraces, and implementing stricter regulations on tobacco sales. The objective behind these measures is to create a tobacco-free generation by 2040. Despite facing criticism from certain business groups, the government believes that these steps are necessary to safeguard the health of future generations. Mexico has already taken the smoking ban seriously for their people!

If approved by parliament, the ban on smoking will be extended to various outdoor areas adjacent to public buildings such as schools, universities, hospitals, sports venues, as well as outside restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. The implementation of these restrictions is set to take effect from October 23. However, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs with designated smoking areas that meet certain isolation requirements will be allowed to maintain those areas until 2030.

Starting from 2025, the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products will be limited to licensed tobacconists and airport shops. This means that vending machines, bars, restaurants, and petrol stations will no longer be permitted to sell tobacco products.

Additionally, Portugal will align its laws with a European Union directive, treating heated tobacco products as equivalent to conventional tobacco. The sale of flavored heated tobacco will be prohibited.

According to government data, approximately two-thirds of deaths among smokers in Portugal are attributed to tobacco use, and smokers have a life expectancy about 10 years shorter than non-smokers on average. In 2019, it is estimated that tobacco-related causes resulted in around 13,500 deaths in Portugal, a country with a population of approximately 10 million. The price of a pack of cigarettes in Portugal is relatively low compared to other Western European countries, with an average cost of around 5 euros ($5.50).