By Ion Axinescu
Copyright euroweeklynews
Spain is preparing to tighten up tobacco law, but the nightlife sector in the country is lighting up the debate.
Spain Nightlife, the national association for nightclubs, and Fecasarm, the Catalan federation of bar and music venues, are not happy and have formally challenged the government’s proposed tobacco law reforms. What’s at stake? Whether smokers can light up on terraces and open-air spaces at bars, restaurants, and clubs.
Spain’s nightlife questions the smoking ban: “Unnecessary and unjustified!”
The draft law, currently under public consultation, includes some clauses that would ban traditional tobacco on terraces and other outdoor areas. But the nightlife sector calls these measures “disproportionate”, adding that there’s no solid scientific evidence to justify them.
They also want the law to drop a section that lumps non-tobacco, nicotine-free products (think shishas) under the tobacco umbrella. “Unnecessary, unjustified, and legally over the top,” the associations warn.
Fecasarm and Spain Nightlife are pushing for dialogue, asking authorities to apply proportionality and legal reasoning. Their message? “Don’t kill our business with rules that make no sense.”
They explain the restrictions could hit the nightlife economy hard, at a time when many venues are already struggling due to lower local and tourist consumption, rising taxes, and costs with workforce.
Is this law killing the tourism sector?
The Catalan federation Fecalon is also stepping into the ‘fight’ ring. Their analysis of the draft law echoes the concerns of their peers: the proposals could trigger social, economic, and public order headaches. Forcing smokers off terraces may create crowded sidewalks, annoy neighbours, and make management for bar owners a lot more complicated.
They also said that Europe-wide, only Sweden has rules similar to those proposed, leaving Spain at a competitive disadvantage in the tourism sector. Their recent survey shows over 85 per cent of nightlife operators report worsened economic conditions in 2025. And, according to them, the new rules could make this situation even worse.
In short, Spain’s nightlife scene is fighting against the smoking ban. Between protecting public health and preserving open-air social life, bars, clubs, and restaurants are making their voices heard. The ‘tobacco war’ is just beginning and it’s a sensitive one, for sure.
