Andorra to ban outdoor tobacco sales and expand smoke-free areas

The Andorran government is preparing a reform of the country’s tobacco legislation that will strengthen protections for minors, expand smoke-free areas and introduce new restrictions on the sale of tobacco products. Health Minister Helena Mas outlined some of the measures on Friday, although she stressed that the bill has not yet been finalised.

The proposed reform has raised concerns among tobacco retailers and manufacturers, and the government says it intends to consult both sectors before settling on the final wording of the legislation.

“The text has not been finalised. It still has to go through all the necessary stages and, of course, we want to listen not only to manufacturers but also to retailers,” Mas said.

The legislative reform follows Andorra’s accession to the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and is intended to bring the country’s existing legislation into line with the commitments undertaken by the Principality.

“Andorra joined the convention, and what we are doing now is updating our legislative framework. To do this, we are holding a series of meetings,” the minister explained.

Protecting minors will be a priority

Among the issues still under consideration are technical matters related to flavourings, ingredients and tobacco advertising.

Although Mas stressed that several aspects remain to be defined and discussed with the sectors concerned, she said there is one area where the government does not intend to compromise: the protection of minors.

“Our highest priority is protecting minors. There is no question about that and no room for change,” she said.

The future legislation will also introduce changes to the way tobacco products can be sold. One of the measures already being proposed by the Ministry of Health is to prohibit their sale outside retail establishments.

“There may no longer be sales outside establishments. This is something I can confirm we are proposing in the law, and we believe it will be an important change,” Mas explained.

The measure would represent one of the most visible changes for businesses currently selling tobacco products in Andorra.

More smoke-free areas, but no terrace restrictions for now

The reform will also affect where smoking is permitted. Mas said the government intends to expand the number of areas protected from tobacco smoke, although it does not currently plan to use this legislation to introduce specific smoking restrictions on outdoor terraces.

“This will not be the time to regulate terraces, but there will be an expansion of protected smoke-free areas,” the minister said.

The government has yet to specify which additional areas will become smoke-free or exactly how the new restrictions will operate. These details will be determined as the Ministry of Health continues working on the legislation.

Despite the bill still being under development and having to undergo the corresponding consultation and legislative procedures, the government has set a clear political deadline.

Mas said the intention is for the new tobacco legislation to be approved before the end of the current parliamentary term.

“The intention is for it to be approved during this parliamentary term, no matter what,” the minister concluded.