Spain Struggles with High Smoking Rates Despite EU Goals

Spain, like many other European countries, is facing significant challenges in reducing its smoking prevalence, despite the European Union's ambitious goals to achieve a "smoke-free" status. A recent survey has highlighted the persistent issue of smoking in Spanish households, underscoring the need for a more effective tobacco control strategy.

Smoking Prevalence in Spanish Homes

The survey, published in the European Respiratory Journal, reveals that only six out of ten Spanish homes are smoke-free. This statistic places Spain among the countries with the highest rates of smoking in the home, alongside Romania and Bulgaria. In these countries, more than four in ten homes allow smoking, indicating a cultural and societal acceptance that hampers anti-smoking efforts[4].

National Smoking Rates

In 2022, Spain reported that 22% of its adult population smoked, with 20% of these individuals smoking daily. This data, derived from the 2020 European Health Survey, shows that smoking remains a widespread habit in the country[5].

EU's Smoke-Free Goals

The European Union has set an ambitious target to reduce smoking prevalence to below 5% by 2040, a benchmark recognized internationally as "smoke-free" status. However, at the current rate, the EU is projected to miss this target by a significant margin, with estimates suggesting it may take until 2100 to achieve this goal. This disparity is particularly evident when comparing Spain and other EU countries to nations like Sweden, which have successfully integrated safer nicotine alternatives into their tobacco control strategies[1].

Success Stories: Sweden and Czechia

Sweden stands out as a model for effective tobacco control. By making safer nicotine alternatives such as snus, nicotine pouches, and vapes accessible, acceptable, and affordable, Sweden has driven its smoking rates down to near smoke-free levels. This approach has allowed Sweden to be on the brink of achieving its smoke-free target 16 years ahead of the EU’s goal. Similarly, Czechia has seen a 23% drop in smoking rates over the past four years by embracing tobacco harm reduction principles[1].

Criticisms of EU Policy

Critics argue that the EU's current tobacco control policy, which relies heavily on taxation, smoking bans, and product regulations, has only produced incremental reductions in smoking. The restrictive policies on safer nicotine alternatives are seen as a major hindrance to progress. Delon Human, lead author of the report "Missing The Target" by Smoke Free Sweden, emphasized that "restrictive policies on safer nicotine alternatives are costing lives" and that embracing these alternatives is crucial for achieving the EU's smoke-free goals[1].

Call for Change

The data clearly indicate that a shift in strategy is necessary. Anders Milton, a physician and former president of the Swedish Medical Association, advocates for a modernized, evidence-based framework that includes safer alternatives as part of a comprehensive tobacco harm reduction strategy. This approach could help Spain and other EU countries to more effectively reduce smoking rates and move closer to achieving the EU's smoke-free target[1].

As expats in Spain, understanding these challenges and the potential solutions can help in advocating for better health policies and supporting initiatives that promote a healthier, smoke-free environment.