Focus on Spanish Immigration and Life in Spain: E-cigarettes are a controversial product. Despite numerous demands from various organizations and political groups, there is still little knowledge about the health impacts of e-cigarettes and the lack of regulation. These products contain a small electric heater that vaporizes liquid when a button is pressed. E-cigarettes are unregulated, can be sold anywhere, and can be purchased by minors. The government acknowledges in its report that there are issues with this product, which has not been evaluated by any national authorities. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends against using e-cigarettes until data shows they are safe, effective, and of acceptable quality, and certified by the main national regulatory agencies.
Months ago, Ana Mato, the Minister of Health, Social Services, and Equality of Spain, stated in an interview with Spanish Television (TVE) that Spain is establishing a legislative framework for the future regulation of e-cigarettes with the European Union. "This is an issue we need to regulate," she said. "The Congress is currently discussing this matter."
It must be noted that some people consider e-cigarettes to be medicines, some view them as consumer products, and others regard them as tobacco products. Ultimately, it is important to find a balance and achieve consensus among all EU countries.
Through a response from the CiU to Catalan nationalists, the government has decided to implement regulations on e-cigarettes in Catalonia similar to those for cigarettes, rather than waiting for the EU and relevant authorities to regulate the product. The government has announced that e-cigarettes will be banned in all areas, including schools, hospitals, and public health centers.
The Autonomous Community of Andalusia has also joined the regulation of e-cigarettes following Catalonia. The Ministry of Health has forwarded an agreement to prohibit e-cigarettes in educational and healthcare institutions. José María Sánchez Rubio, the Health Commissioner of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party), also announced that her department is studying ways to strengthen the review of e-cigarette advertisements to prevent them from being marketed as effective smoking cessation therapies.
