The Spanish Ministry of Health has issued a new royal law and regulation that includes harmonizing the packaging of cigarette products. Restricting the use of tar bags and vapes, and limiting the addition of flavoring agents to cigarette products.
According to El Espanol on November 21, the Spanish Ministry of Health issued a new royal law to the public to update the regulations on cigarettes and related products. Highlights of the bill include uniform packaging of cigarettes, restrictions on cigarette tar bags, specific rules for smokeless tar vapes, and regulations limiting flavoring in all cigarette products.
The Ministry noted that the measure is part of the Comprehensive Prevention and Control Plan for Tobacco Control 2024-2027, focusing on product content, quality and safety standards, and outer packaging requirements.
Health Minister Monica Garcia stressed that:
- “One of the most prominent things that the Royal law has brought about is universal packaging, which will make all cigarette packs the same. This is not a whim. There is sufficient scientific data to show that additional advertising in cigarette packs is also harmful.”
The proposal makes a series of changes to existing Crown Law 579/2017. These changes require that tobacco and tobacco must be packaged uniformly to remove design styles and colors that appeal to users. For smokeless tar vapes, the need for ingredients, health warnings (such as “consumption of this product is harmful to health”) and related use and storage instructions must be stated.
At the same time, the proposal limits the application of flavoring agents in vapes and only allows the use of tobacco flavor. In addition, two new products – smoke tar bags and herbal heating products – have been introduced and safety, labeling, and marketing requirements have been established for them.
Under the transitional arrangement, manufacturers have 10 months to adapt to the new labeling, packaging, and production standards, while businesses have 12 months to sell goods currently in stock.
On the other hand, the minister said they will continue to make progress in expanding smoke-free Spaces.
