The autonomous region of Galicia in Spain has officially approved a landmark draft law designed to combat youth addiction and safeguard the health of minors. Known as the Law for the Protection of Minors’ Health and the Prevention of Addictive Behaviors, this new legislative framework introduces a wide-reaching ban on the sale and use of vapes (electronic cigarettes) by individuals under 18 years of age. The Galician government expects the law to pass through parliamentary procedures and come into full effect before the close of the year.
Vaping to Be Treated Like Tobacco
A core tenet of the proposed legislation is the legal alignment of vaping products with traditional tobacco. This reclassification means retailers will be explicitly forbidden from selling any type of e-cigarette, disposable vape, or vape liquid to minors. The move comes in response to troubling data revealing that approximately 40% of Galician youth under the age of 14 have experimented with e-cigarettes—far surpassing the 17% who have smoked traditional cigarettes.
Health Minister Antonio Gómez Caamaño described the initiative as both “bold and evidence-based,” stating that the law is grounded in scientific findings about the dangers of nicotine and aerosol inhalation. The intention is to address vaping as a growing public health concern, particularly given the vulnerability of adolescents to nicotine addiction.
Expansion of Vape-Free and Smoke-Free Zones
In addition to sales restrictions, the new regulation significantly broadens the list of smoke-free and vape-free public areas. The use of cigarettes and vaping devices will be strictly prohibited within a 50-meter perimeter surrounding schools, healthcare centers, and government buildings. The ban also applies to bus stops and swimming pools, with the goal of limiting bystanders’ exposure to secondhand smoke and vapor.
Broader Preventive Measures: Energy Drinks and Public Drinking
The scope of the legislation extends beyond vaping. It includes a parallel ban on the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to minors—defined as any beverage containing more than 32 milligrams of caffeine per 100 milliliters. These drinks, which are considered hazardous especially when mixed with alcohol, have also been flagged as contributors to risky youth behavior.
The law also empowers the regional government to take direct action against illegal public drinking gatherings, known in Spain as botellones. Until now, the enforcement of penalties in such cases fell under the jurisdiction of local councils. The Xunta de Galicia will now assume this authority to intensify its response to underage alcohol consumption.
Emphasis on Education Over Punishment
Rather than focus solely on punitive measures, the legislation places strong emphasis on prevention, education, and rehabilitation. Minors found violating the rules may have their monetary fines substituted with mandatory participation in educational workshops or community service related to substance abuse awareness. The intention is to promote accountability while also offering young people and their families the tools needed for long-term behavioral change.
A Nationally Pioneering Law
President of the Xunta, Alfonso Rueda, has hailed the law as a pioneering piece of legislation that places Galicia at the forefront of youth health protection in Spain. He emphasized that the policy is designed to equip families and educational institutions with more robust resources to address youth exposure to addictive substances and behaviors, including excessive screen use and online gambling.
In sum, Galicia’s comprehensive approach targets the multiple fronts of youth addiction—vaping, alcohol, energy drinks, and digital compulsions—through a unified legislative effort that combines restriction, regulation, and education. The result is a regional policy that may well set a precedent for other Spanish communities and beyond.
