The health authorities and regional administrations have agreed to a limited prohibition on electronic cigarettes. The move is dependent upon the coming European legislation on tighter smoking laws.

The Consejo Interterritorial del Sistema Nacional de Salud (CISNS) is consequently planning to put a ban on using electronic cigarettes in children areas (parks etc), medical centres & hospitals, schools, public transport and public offices..

The Regional Governments of Valencia, Andalucia and Cataluña had already been moving in that direction independently

The Minister for Health, Ana Mato, explained that where these cigarettes could be sold had still not been taken into consideration; whether it be pharmacies or tobacconists, as some sectors have demanded, owing to the use of nicotine.

She also clarified that a decision had not been taken upon bringing electronic-cigarette use into line with normal tobacco restrictions; i.e., total prohibition in all enclosed spaces.

Both these points would be taken into consideration “at a later date.”

The argument against these devices is that it is still not known whether using one has any harmful affects on users or whether using them could ‘incite minors to smoke.’

The Asociación Nacional Española de Vapeadores, however, points out that there are “no passive smokers” where electronic cigarettes are concerned.

The Spanish language has a new verb to describe the use of electronic cigarettes which is Vapear or literally, “to steam or vapour;” hence the term, vapeadores.

(News: Spain)