24.1% of the adult population are current smokers
There are approximately 10.0 million current smokers in Spain
Country profile
Data sourced:
2025.
Page updated:
2025-11-05
Smoking in Spain
The overall smoking prevalence in Spain has been going down since 2006. 27.9% of the adult population are current smokers, down from 34% in 2006. This means there are now approximately 11.1 million people smoking in the country. 29.1% of men smoke and for women the figure is 26.7%.
The most recent figures show there were 57,216 annual deaths attributable to tobacco smoking (approximately 10,700 women and 46,600 men). The annual percentage of all deaths attributable to tobacco smoking was 19.1% (women: 5.1%; and men: 22.3%).
Nicotine vapes (e-cigarettes) are legal in Spain and there are 535,200 vapers in the country, giving an adult vaping prevalence of 1.33%. Vaping devices can only be sold to those 18 and older and can be purchased without a prescription but there are legal restrictions on their use in public places.
Heated tobacco products are legal and can be marketed, but the situation is a bit more complicated for snus. While it is illegal to import snus for trade or buy the product online, it is possible to import it for personal use.
It is legal to buy nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products from pharmacies without a prescription and it can be marketed. The NRT market in Spain is worth €32.4 million.
For further information and full references, click through to the detailed datasheets above.
45,137
Deaths
45,137 people in Spain die from tobacco smoking-related diseases each year.
32.4 million €
Market size of NRT.
Estimated NRT market size is 32.4 million €.
Nicotine Vaping Devices
in Spain
E-cigarettes are allowed in Spain and are mainly available through general retail outlets. Consumers can legally purchase these products online, though health claims are not permitted, and there is a comprehensive ban on all forms of advertising. Interestingly, e-liquids are not subject to excise taxation. From a regulatory standpoint, Spain enforces several key controls for e-cigarettes. Child-resistant and tamperproof containers are required, and health warnings must appear on packaging. Sales are restricted to those aged 18 and older, and while there are no flavour bans, the nicotine concentration is capped at 20 mg/mL. Additionally, there are restrictions on vaping in public places, and tank sizes are limited to 2 mL or less.
E-cigarette use in Spain is moderate compared to some other European countries. As of 2023, there were about 795,800 current vapers, with an adult current e-cigarette vaping prevalence of 2%. The prevalence was 0.7% among females and 1.2% among males as of 2020. As of 2023, the daily vaping rate was 0.8%. In 2017, approximately 12% of adults report having tried e-cigarettes at least once. In terms of public perception and understanding of e-cigarettes conducted in 2017, the majority (60%) of people believed vaping is harmful or more harmful than cigarettes, while 19% considerd it less harmful, and 21% were not sure about it.
Heated Tobacco Products
in Spain
In Spain, heated tobacco products are regulated as novel tobacco products under the Royal Decree 579/2017. Therefore, Law 28/2005 (Sanitary Measures Against Smoking, and Regulating the Sale, Supply, Consumption and Advertising of Tobacco Products), which restricts sale, advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and use in public places, also applies.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
in Spain
In Spain you don't need a prescription to purchase NRT.
Snus
in Spain
Used in Scandinavia for more than 200 years, snus is providing smokers in Sweden and Norway with an alternative to combustible cigarettes. Find out what it is, and why it is considered a safer nicotine product in our briefing paper.
Pouches
in Spain
Nicotine pouches are a relatively new product which can provide users of high-risk tobacco with an alternative that poses fewer risks to their health. Read more about nicotine pouches in our briefing paper
The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team.
However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice.
We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product
categories can change at short notice and with little publicity.
If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region,
you should verify the information independently.
If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details
and any references and we will rectify any errors.