“Portugal Implements Smoke-Free Law to Protect Future Generations”

The law should come into effect on October 23. Then, among other things, smoking is no longer allowed on covered terraces and in front of public buildings such as schools, hospitals, universities, sports venues and catering establishments. At the moment, this is not allowed in public indoor locations, except in special smoking areas. These spaces may continue to exist until 2030.

Smoke-free generation

“We are starting today to protect tomorrow’s adults,” said health minister Manuel Pizarro. The government hopes for a smoke-free generation by 2040. Parliament still has to pass the law, but the ruling Socialist Party has a majority there. It is not known when the bill will be discussed.

If the law is passed, the sale of tobacco will also be restricted. From 2025, it may only be sold by shops with a special permit and at airports. Gas stations and the catering industry, among others, will no longer be allowed to sell cigarettes and cigarette vending machines will also disappear.

Not happy

Interest groups for restaurants and petrol stations are not happy with the proposed measures, because they will lose a lot of income. Others believe that the plans do not go far enough, partly because the government does not want to increase the price of tobacco products. According to Pizarro, this could lead to smuggling and is therefore not a good idea. A pack of cigarettes now costs about 5 euros in Portugal, less than in many other Western European countries.

For comparison: in the Netherlands a pack of cigarettes costs about 9 euros, and the price will rise to 10 euros from April next year. Smoking is already prohibited in schoolyards and railway stations. Conditions apply on terraces and at public buildings, festivals and events. For example, smoking is not allowed if the owner or organization does not want it or if it is indoors.

In Spain, the neighboring country of Portugal, smoking is even banned on more and more beaches. Although that is not a health measure: the Spaniards are done with all the butts that are left on the beach and in the sea. For this reason, a smoking ban on the beaches is also being considered in the Netherlands.