Spanish government approves decree banning flavored heated tobacco products

The Spanish government has approved a decree banning the sale of flavored heated tobacco products, aimed at curbing smoking.

According to an AFP report on January 16, the Spanish government approved a decree on January 16 banning the sale of flavored heated tobacco products as part of its efforts to reduce smoking.

Heated tobacco products, or HTPs, release nicotine from tobacco leaves at high temperatures through a process referred to here as “pyrolysis,” without burning or charring the tobacco, thereby avoiding smoke production. This alternative to traditional tobacco has been growing in popularity, but it is often confused with e-cigarettes, which heat e-liquid that may contain nicotine, rather than involving tobacco leaves.

The decree also requires heated tobacco products to display the same health warnings on packaging as other tobacco products, according to a statement from the Ministry of Health. In addition, the decree bans the use of flavorings in other tobacco products, such as cigarette filters and rolling papers.

Although smoking rates in Spain have fallen significantly over the past few decades, the number of regular smokers remains relatively high. According to the latest data from the World Health Organization, about one quarter of Spanish adults (26%) use tobacco daily, compared with a global average of 22.3%.