A proposal for the Tobacco Law will be discussed on Thursday in the Council of Ministers, which will possibly lead to stricter rules for smokers in Portugal. The government’s proposal seeks to promote the population’s health and protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke.
The rules include restricting the purchase of tobacco, as well as the areas where smoking is allowed.
Portugal is still one of the most smoking countries in Western Europe. There are an estimated 1.5 million smokers in Portugal, of whom about 1.2 million smoke daily.
Whether you’re a smoker or concerned with Portuguese public health, let’s look at the possible changes to the Portuguese Tobacco Law if the proposal is successful.
No more cigarette machines in certain places
The proposal includes a measure to prohibit automatic cigarette machines in certain places by 2025. People won’t be able to purchase tobacco through machines in places such as restaurants, bars, show locations, casinos, fairs, exhibitions, game rooms, and gas stations.
No smoking on covered terraces
The law proposal could also ban smoking on any sort of covered terrace, even if the coverage is not complete. Smoking in front of doors or windows of restaurants, bars, and cafes will also be prohibited.
Outdoor smoking restrictions in front of public buildings
Smoking outdoors in front of public buildings such as schools, universities, and hospitals will also be prohibited. This also includes public transport stations and sports venues.
Flavored heated tobacco prohibited
This proposal makes it so that heated tobacco is treated the same as conventional tobacco. In Portugal, many people have started smoking heated tobacco from the brand IQOS. Starting October 2023, brands will not be able to sell flavored, heated tobacco
Moreover, the government has said that the packaging of heated tobacco must include health warning texts and photography, like conventional tobacco.
Banning smoking outside of bars and restaurants completely will ruin the businesses of many. Many Brits go to portugal as they have a relaxed attitude to smoking and its warm enough to smoke outdoors. If they enact this law then Portugal will lose millions of euros to other favourable locations such as Spain, as we’ll just go there instead.