2022 Smokefree Map

Article 8 of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) acknowledges the effects of secondhand smoke on health and aims at protecting citizens from its adverse effects. Guidelines have been developed to help Parties implement measures to protect people from those effects.

WHO FCTC, Article 8 : Protection from exposure to tobacco smoke : “Each Party shall adopt and implement in areas of existing national jurisdiction as determined by national law and actively promote at other jurisdictional levels the adoption and implementation of effective legislative, executive, administrative and/or other measures, providing for protection from exposure to tobacco smoke in indoor workplaces, public transport, indoor public places and, as appropriate, other public places."

The correct implementation of the WHO FCTC is also a key requirement for the full realization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as Target 3.a of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aims at "strengthening the implementation of the WHO FCTC in all countries".

In this regard, the Smokefree Map aims to highlight which countries are providing sufficient and effective protection from secondhand smoke and which countries could do more to protect their citizens either through improved legislation, or improved compliance:

  • Dark green countries follow the letter and the spirit of the guidelines of Article 8 of the WHO FCTC: smoke-free legislation is both very strong and strongly enforced. As a result, smoking in workplaces, hospitality venues such as bars and restaurants and other public places is negligible;
  • Light green countries follow the letter of the guidelines of Article 8 of the WHO FCTC: smoke-free legislation is both strong and well-enforced;
  • Orange countries offer limited protection to European citizens: many public areas may be smoke-free but 100% protection is unattainable due to exemptions or strong legislation is weakened due to poor compliance;
  • Red countries offer little or no protection to European citizens: smoke-free legislation is both weak and unenforced. Consequently, exposure to second-hand smoke is high.

Our 2022 Smokefree Map also shows the overall trend of countries' legislation on smoke-free over the past years. If you hover a country, you will see either an upwards arrow (↑), a downwards arrow (↓), or an equals sign (=). The upwards arrow means that since the 2020 version of the map, the country's ranking improved (ex: from light green to dark green). The downwards arrow means that the country's ranking decreased (ex: from light green to orange). The equals sign means that the country's ranking didn't change. 

 

Click on the country name in the table below to see country details

Hidden columns: none
Country e-Cigarettes Overall Compliance HTP* Restaurants
Bars
Terraces Indoor
Workplaces
Outdoor
Workplaces
Sports venues
Stadiums
Schools
Universities
Hospitals Public
Transport
Private
Cars
Parks
Beaches
albania
Partial Ban

Limited

Limited

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

No Ban
austria
Complete Ban

Good

Good

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban
belarus
Complete Ban

Weak

Weak

No Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban
belgium
Complete Ban

Good

Good

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban
bosnia and herzegovina
No Ban

Weak

Limited

No Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

No Ban
bulgaria
No Ban

Weak

Weak

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

No Ban
croatia
Complete Ban

Weak

Limited

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

No Ban
cyprus
Complete Ban

Limited

Limited

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban
czech republic
Partial Ban

Limited

Good

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

No Ban
denmark
Partial Ban

Weak

Very Good

No Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

No Ban
estonia
Complete Ban

Good

Good

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban
finland
Complete Ban

Good

Very Good

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban
france
Partial Ban

Good

Good

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban
germany
No Ban

Weak

Limited

No Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

No Ban
greece
Complete Ban

Very Good

Weak

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban
hungary
Complete Ban

Very Good

Good

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

No Ban
iceland
Partial Ban

Good

Good

No Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

No Ban
ireland
Complete Ban

Very Good

Very Good

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban
israel
Complete Ban

Good

Weak

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

No Ban
italy
Partial Ban

Good

Very Good

No Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban
kosovo
Partial Ban

Weak

Limited

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

No Ban
latvia
Complete Ban

Limited

Good

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban
lithuania
Complete Ban

Good

Limited

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban
luxembourg
Complete Ban

Good

Good

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

No Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban
malta
Complete Ban

Good

Limited

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban
moldova
Complete Ban

Limited

Limited

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban
montenegro
Complete Ban

Limited

Limited

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

No Ban
netherlands
Complete Ban

Very Good

Good

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

No Ban
north macedonia
Complete Ban

Weak

Limited

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

No Ban
norway
Complete Ban

Good

Very Good

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

No Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

No Ban
poland
Complete Ban

Limited

Limited

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

No Ban
portugal
Partial Ban

Limited

Limited

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban
romania
Partial Ban

Very Good

Good

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban
serbia
Partial Ban

Weak

Weak

No Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

No Ban
slovakia
Complete Ban

Limited

Good

No Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban
slovenia
Complete Ban

Good

Good

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban
spain
Partial Ban

Very Good

Good

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban
sweden
Complete Ban

Good

Very Good

No Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

No Ban
switzerland
Partial Ban

Weak

Good

No Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

No Ban
turkey
Partial Ban

Good

Good

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban
ukraine
Complete Ban

Good

Limited

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

No Ban
united kingdom
No Ban

Very Good

Very Good

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Complete Ban

No Ban

Partial Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Complete Ban

Partial Ban

No Ban

Albania

  • First tobacco free regulation: 2007 (last revision in 2019)
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban
  • Outdoor Workplaces : complete ban - smoking is forbidden in work environments
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - smoking ban in closed sports venues, not in open ones
  • Schools and Universities : partial ban - smoking ban in schools and universities (“educational institutions and universities”), indoors but not outdoors
  • Hospitals: partial ban - smoking ban in healthcare facilities indoors (except institution for mental health) but not outdoors
  • Bars and Restaurants: complete ban
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars: no ban
  • Public Transport: partial ban - ban in “means of public transport”, but not at stations
  • Parks, Beaches: no ban
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • Heated Tobacco Products : heated tobacco products are included in the smoke-free law since 2019 (smoking ban in closed areas)
  • Compliance : limited - fines/penalties under the new law have increased but the problem stands with the enforcement
  • E-Cigarettes:  e-cigarettes are included in the smokefree law since 2019 (smoking ban in closed areas).

USEFUL LINKS

Law 9636 on the protection of public health from tobacco products, 2006 (amended in 2019) (in Albanian)

Health Minister (in Albanian)

Thanks to Roland Shuperka for his contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Partial Ban
Overall
Limited
Compliance
Limited
Heated Tobacco Products
Partial Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Partial Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Partial Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Austria

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2005 (last revision in 2019)
  • Indoor Workplaces: partial ban - smoking rooms are authorised (except in special places such as rooms use for negotiation, which are completely smokefree)
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - smoking rooms are allowed, and it is banned to smoke outdoors during sporting events for minors.
  • Schools and Universities : partial ban :
    - complete ban in schools, including outdoor areas of schools;
    - partial ban at universities: smoking rooms are authorized.
  • Hospitals : partial ban - for health care facilities a federal basic act provides guidelines that have to be implemented by provincial law and foresees the possibility of separate smoking rooms. Provinces have implemented this regulation in various ways
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban in the hospitality industry that entered into force the 1st November 2019
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: complete ban
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : partial ban - smoking in cars with children under 18 is banned
  • E-Cigarettes: same restriction as other tobacco products
  • Heated Tobacco Products: same restriction as other tobacco products
  • Compliance: good, except in the hospitality sector (compliance before the 2019 revision)
  • Smoke Free Generation: none
  • Future developments: It is planned to introduce a general smoking ban on children’s playgrounds and to regulate all tobacco-free nicotine products by law.

USEFUL LINKS

Tobacco and Non-Smoker Protection Act (TNSRG), 2019 (in German / English)

Austrian Ministry of Labours, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection (in German / English )

Tobacco Control page of the Ministry of Labours, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection (in German / English)

Thanks to Andreas Weinseiss for his contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Good
Compliance
Good
Heated Tobacco Products
Complete Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Partial Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Complete Ban
Private Cars
Partial Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Belarus

This information is solely based on a desk research

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2002 (last revision in 2019)
  • Indoor Workplaces: partial ban - lots of places can have smoking rooms (healthcare facilities, educational institutions, cultural facilities, sports facilities, shops, consumer service facilities, catering facilities and government facilities)
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - in sports facilities smoking rooms are authorised, and there is no ban outdoors
  • Schools and Universities : partial ban - in schools and universities, smoking rooms are authorised
  • Hospitals : partial ban - smoking rooms are authorised
  • Bars and Restaurants : partial ban - smoking rooms are authorised
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: partial ban - smoking is allowed in long distance trains
  • Parks, Beaches : partial ban on beaches, except designated spaces for smoking
  • Private Cars : smoking ban in cars with children under 14 years old
  • E-Cigarettes: since 2019, e-cigarettes are covered by the same regulation as tobacco products
  • Heated Tobacco Products: no ban
  • Compliance: weak

USEFUL LINKS

Decree, 2019 (in Russian)

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Weak
Compliance
Weak
Heated Tobacco Products
No Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Partial Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Partial Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Partial Ban
Private Cars
Partial Ban
Parks / Beaches
Partial Ban

Belgium

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2009 (last revision in 2011)
  • Indoor Workplaces: partial ban - ventilated smoking rooms are authorised under very strict conditions/
  • Outdoor Workplaces: partial ban - the smoking ban also applies to semi-closed working spaces but not open air spaces
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - smoking ban only in sports venues, not in outdoor spaces. However there are some private initiatives. During the 2021/2022 season, all tobacco products consumptions will be banned during games, events and other activities of the Jupiler Pro League, the 1B Pro League and the Crocky Cup.
  • Schools and Universities :  partial ban
    - Complete ban in schools: Smoking is banned indoors and outdoors.
    - Partial ban in universities : Smoking is banned indoors but not outdoors
  • Hospitals : partial ban - ventilated smoking rooms are authorised under very strict conditions
  • Bars and Restaurants : partial ban - ventilated smoking rooms are authorised under very strict conditions.
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: partial ban – no ban on open platforms
  • Parks, Beaches : no national ban. Some cities try partial ban : smoke free zones in beaches, or designated smoking areas in parks
  • Private Cars : : partial ban - ban in cars with children under 18
  • E-Cigarettes: e-cigarettes are included in the scope of the smoke-free law since 2017
  • Heated Tobacco Products: heated tobacco products are considered as tobacco products
  • Compliance: good, but limited in bars

USEFUL LINKS

The Belgian Foundation against Cancer :  Dutch version – Stichting tegen Kanker  // French version – Fondation contre le Cancer  

Federal Public Service – Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment  Dutch version //  French version

Act banning smoking in enclosed places accessible to the public, 2009 (in French and in Dutch)

Law on e-cigarettes, 2016 (in French and in Dutch)

Thanks to Belgian Foundation against Cancer for its contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Good
Compliance
Good
Heated Tobacco Products
Complete Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Partial Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Partial Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Partial Ban
Private Cars
Partial Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Bosnia and Herzegovina

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 1998 in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2004 in Republika Srpska
  • Indoor Workplaces: partial ban - smoking rooms are authorised (“Places of work, such as: factories, offices in legal entities as well as all other places of work”)
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - smoking ban in closed sports venues, not in open ones
  • Schools and Universities : partial ban - smoking is banned in closed areas
  • Hospitals : partial ban - There are exceptions: In institutions that provide psychosocial rehabilitation, palliative care, and care of the elderly; the director can allow smoking in the rooms. 
  • Bars and Restaurants : partial ban :
    - partial ban in restaurants, where smoking rooms are allowed;
    - there is no ban in bars that are not serving food
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: partial ban - smoking rooms are allowed in train stations, airports…
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: no ban
  • Heated Tobacco Products: no ban
  • Compliance: limited
  • Future development: the proposal of new tobacco control law currently is in the parliamentary procedure in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

USEFUL LINKS

Law on the restricted use of tobacco products, in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1998 (in Bosnian)

Ministry of Health of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (In Bosnian)

Law on Smoking Ban of Tobacco Products on Public Places, in Republika Srpska, 2004 (in Bosnian)

Thanks to PROI (Progressive Reinforcement of Organizations and Individuals) for its contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
No Ban
Overall
Weak
Compliance
Limited
Heated Tobacco Products
No Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Partial Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Partial Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Partial Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Bulgaria

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 1993 (last amendment in 2012)
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - there is a smoking ban in closed sports venues and playgrounds, and in open stadium when there are sport activities taking place
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban in schools and universities
  • Hospitals : complete ban
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: partial ban - smoking rooms are allowed in airports
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: no ban
  • Heated Tobacco Products: no ban
  • Compliance: weak
  • Future developments: there is a proposal to expand smoking bans to electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products and shishas under discussion as of December 2019 (After local election)

USEFUL LINKS

Bulgarian Ministry of Health (in Bulgarian)

The law on health, 1993 (in Bulgarian)

National Centre of Public Health and Analyses (NCPHA) (in English and Bulgarian)

“Without Smoke”, Bulgarian Anti-Smoking Lobby Group (in Bulgarian)

Smoke Free Life Coalition Bulgaria (in English and Bulgarian)

Thanks to Smoke Free Life Coalition Bulgaria for its contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
No Ban
Overall
Weak
Compliance
Weak
Heated Tobacco Products
No Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Complete Ban
Public Transport
Partial Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Croatia

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2008 (last amendment in 2017)
  • Indoor Workplaces: partial ban - smoking rooms are authorised
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - there is a smoking ban in sports venues as a place where non-smokers could suffer from secondhand smoking, but not in open ones
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban in schools and universities. It is also banned to smoke in areas situated less than 20 meters away from the entrance to an educational institution.
  • Hospitals : partial ban - smoking rooms are allowed under certain conditions. It is also banned to smoke in areas situated less than 20 meters away from the entrance to a healthcare facility
  • Bars and Restaurants : partial ban :
    - complete ban in restaurants;
    - partial ban in bars : smoking rooms are allowed in large premises and there are exemptions for small bars.
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: complete ban
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: e-cigarettes are regulated as tobacco products under the smokefree legislation. Under Article 25 of the Act on restriction on the use of tobacco and related products, it is banned to smoke e-cigarettes in “all indoor public places”, “ in areas which constitute a functional part of a space used to carry out an educational activity”, and less than 20 meters away from the entrance to a healthcare facility, or an educational establishment.
  • Heated Tobacco Products: partial ban - It is prohibited to smoke tobacco and related products or herbal products, and to use nicotine-containing or non-nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes and  waterpipes in all indoor public places
  • Compliance : limited

USEFUL LINKS

Croatian Ministry of Health (in Croatian)

Act on restriction on the use of tobacco and related products, 2017 (in Croatian, and unofficial translation in English)

Thanks to Dijana Mayer for her contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Weak
Compliance
Limited
Heated Tobacco Products
Partial Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Partial Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Complete Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Cyprus

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2010 (last legislation in 2017)
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban. Article 14 of the Law forbids smoking and vaping in almost all working places. However, working places are defined as “ any indoor or closed space used by people during their employment or work for remuneration or voluntary work and includes all associated or ancillary spaces shared by employees during their work, such as runways , lifts, common facilities, toilets, changing rooms and waiting rooms and does not include a residence”.
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - no smoking ban in open spaces, but it is banned in closed venues
  • Schools and Universities : partial ban :
    - complete ban in schools : kindergartens, elementary schools, high schools and technical schools;
    - partial ban in universities : smoking is allowed in open areas.
  • Hospitals : partial ban - smoking ban in indoor places and outdoor areas of hospitals except for designated open areas designated by the management of the hospital. Such designated smoking areas are not allowed near entrances or exits of the hospital.
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban - but the owner/manager of any open-air area may prohibit smoking in that area
  • Public Transport: partial ban - smoking rooms are allowed in airports
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : partial ban - smoking in cars with children under 16 is banned
  • E-Cigarettes: e-cigarettes are included in the scope of the smokefree laws since 2017 (also apply for those that do not contain nicotine)
  • Heated Tobacco Products: heated tobacco products are included in the scope of the smokefree laws since 2017
  • Compliance: limited

USEFUL LINKS

Cypriot Ministry of Health (in English)

The Law on Health Protection (Tobacco Control), Act of 2017 (in Greek)

Thanks to Herodotos Herodotou for his contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Limited
Compliance
Limited
Heated Tobacco Products
Complete Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Partial Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Partial Ban
Private Cars
Partial Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Czech Republic

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2002 (last amendment in 2017)
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban
  • Outdoor Workplaces: complete ban - “the employee shall […] not smoke at workplaces and other premises where non-smokers would be exposed to the effects of smoking”
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - it is banned to smoke in sports grounds intended mainly for persons under the age of 18
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban in schools and universities
  • Hospitals : partial ban - smoking rooms are allowed in facilities for treatment of addiction and in closed psychiatric wards
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: partial ban -  smoking is banned in public transport, except in airports, where smoking rooms are allowed. 
  • Parks, Beaches : no national ban but municipalities can have bans
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: e-cigarettes are covered by the scope of the smokefree laws but it does not apply in cover bars and restaurants
  • Heated Tobacco Products: heated tobacco products are not mentioned in the smokefree laws per se, but the authorities are considering it as being e-cigarettes.
  • Compliance: good

USEFUL LINKS

Czech Ministry of Health (in Czech and English)

Czech Coalition Against Tobacco (in Czech)

Smoke Free Czech Republic (in Czech)

Czech National Website for the Promotion of Smoking Cessation (in Czech)

Act on protection oh Health against the harmful effects of addictive substances, 2017 (in Czech)

Thanks to Smoke Free Czech Republic for its contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Partial Ban
Overall
Limited
Compliance
Good
Heated Tobacco Products
Partial Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Partial Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Denmark

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2007 (last amendment in 2018)
  • Indoor Workplaces: partial ban - the employer can decide if smoking rooms are allowed
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: no ban
  • Schools and Universities : partial ban :
    - complete ban in schools : smoking is banned in schools, institutions with 3-year high school secondary education, residential institutions, life-long learning centers and institutions with enrolled adolescents below 18 years old that also serve as dwellings for these adolescents;
    - partial ban in universities : the universities can decide if smoking rooms are allowed.
  • Hospitals : partial ban - the hospital can decide if smoking rooms are allowed. However local decision can make hospital compounds smoke free.
  • Bars and Restaurants : partial ban :
    - 1. employers can decide that smoking rooms are allowed in restaurants and bars larger than 40 m2;  
    - 2. Smoking is permitted in some bars with a serving area smaller than 40m² only if they have chairs and tables, if the bar or restaurant has an alcohol license and no food is being served.
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: partial ban - the employer can decide if smoking rooms are allowed on passenger ships
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: partial ban - under the Electronic cigarettes Act. 2016, e-cigarettes are banned in schools, institutions with 3-year high school secondary education, residential institutions, continuation schools that mainly have enrolled adolescents below 18 years old that also serve as dwellings for these adolescents. The ban also includes municipal family child care centers, taxis, and public transport (some exception on ships).
  • Heated Tobacco Products: no ban
  • Compliance: very good
  • Future developments: the parties in the Danish Parliament will start negotiations regarding the tobacco legislation in late 2019.

USEFUL LINKS

Danish Ministry of Health (in Danish and English)

Law on smoke-free environments, 2018 (in Danish)

Thanks to Anja Gade Andersen for her contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Partial Ban
Overall
Weak
Compliance
Very Good
Heated Tobacco Products
No Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Partial Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
No Ban
Schools / Universities
Partial Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Partial Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Estonia

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2005 (last revision in 2019)
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban in areas intended for sports - smoking rooms are allowed in sports halls, sports facilities and recreational facilities.
  • Schools and Universities : partial ban :
    - complete ban in schools;
    - partial ban in universities : smoking rooms are allowed
  • Hospitals : partial ban - smoking rooms are allowed
  • Bars and Restaurants : partial ban - it is allowed to smoke in a catering establishment only in smoking rooms prescribed for smoking or in the immediate vicinity of the sales premises of the catering establishment on a seasonal extension located outdoors.
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: complete ban, including public transport shelters, passengers waiting rooms and passenger terminals
  • Parks, Beaches : partial ban in forests and other areas covered with vegetation during a fire hazard period. In 2015, local government prohibited smoking on public beaches
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: e-cigarettes are included in the scope of the smokefree laws. (“The prohibition (….) shall apply to electronic cigarettes and (…) shall also apply to other products used similarly to tobacco products.”)
  • Heated Tobacco Products: heated tobacco products are included in the scope of the smokefree laws. (“The prohibition (….) shall apply to electronic cigarettes and (…) shall also apply to other products used similarly to tobacco products.”)
  • Compliance: good

USEFUL LINKS

Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs (in Estonian, Russian and English) 

Joint National Capacity Assessment of Tobacco Control Policies in Estonia by WHO Europe and the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs, in 2011 (in English)

Estonian Green Paper on Tobacco Policy, 2014 (in English)

Estonian Tobacco Act, 2019 (in English) 

Thanks to Telling Aive for her contribution to this information

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Good
Compliance
Good
Heated Tobacco Products
Complete Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Partial Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Partial Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Complete Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
Partial Ban

Finland

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 1977 (last revision in 2016)
  • Indoor Workplaces: partial ban - designated smoking rooms are permitted. However, in practice those smoking rooms do not exist at all due to very strict and expensive regulations
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - smoking is banned in shelters, auditoriums and other spectator areas at public events organised outdoors or in other facilities that are directly intended for following the event and where participants stay in one place.
  • Schools and Universities : partial ban :
    - complete ban in schools : it is banned to smoke on the outdoor areas of day-care centers or institutions providing pre-primary, basic, vocational or upper secondary education;
    - partial ban in universities : smoking rooms are allowed.
  • Hospitals : partial ban - smoking rooms are allowed
  • Bars and Restaurants : partial ban - ventilated smoking rooms, with separate ventilation where no food or drink is served and no staff work, are permitted.
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban - there is no smoking ban in open spaces but the smoke must not spread to smokefree areas and facilities. Terrace is considered an outdoor space if at least two sides are left open
  • Public Transport: complete ban - small exception : smoking is authorized in restaurants over 50 m2 on international vessels
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : smoking ban in cars with children under 15. This ban does not apply to living areas inside vehicles
  • E-Cigarettes: e-cigarettes are covered by the scope of the smokefree laws.
  • Heated Tobacco Products: smokeless tobacco products may not be consumed in the indoor or outdoor areas of day-care centres or institutions providing pre-primary, basic, vocational or upper secondary education. However, heated tobacco products are not available yet on the market.
  • Compliance: very good
  • Future Developments: the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health published an action plan (in English and Finish) on how to develop tobacco and nicotine policy in Finland. The plan has several proposals to enlarge smokefree environments. The amendments to  the Tobacco Act will enter into force in 2022. legislation regarding beaches in under discussion in the Parliament. Smokeless tobacco product shall not be used indoors or outdoors in kindergartens or in institutions providing pre-primary or primary education, vocational training or upper secondary education, or in playgrounds. The Government proposal under discussion in the Parliament
  • Smoke Free Generation: Since 2016, Finland aims to achieve a Tobacco and Nicotine free Finland by the end of 2030. The objective of Tobacco Act is to end the use of tobacco products and other nicotine-containing products

USEFUL LINKS

Finland’s ASH (in Finnish, Swedish and English)

Tobacco Act, 2016 (in Finnish and Swedish, and un unofficial translation in English

Thanks to the Suomen ASH: Finland’s Action on Smoking and Health for its contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Good
Compliance
Very Good
Heated Tobacco Products
Partial Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Partial Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Partial Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Complete Ban
Private Cars
Partial Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

France

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: the law in 1991. 1st Decree in 1992, 2nd Decree in 2006
  • Indoor Workplaces: partial ban - ventilated smoking rooms are permitted under very strict administrative technical and dissuasive economic conditions. In practice, very few smoking rooms exist.
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban - except a smoking ban in venues welcoming minors (schools, training venues) indoors and outdoors.
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - in ndoor stadium, smoking areas are allowed. Elsewhere smoking is allowed.
  • Schools and Universities : partial ban :
    - complete ban in schools (indoors and outdoors);
    - smoking ban indoors but not outdoors in universities.
  • Hospitals : complete ban - however in some restricted cases, a patient can be allowed to smoke in their room.
  • Bars and Restaurants : partial ban - ventilated smoking rooms are permitted under very strict administrative, technical and dissuasive economic conditions. In practice, very few smoking rooms exist.
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban - terrace is considered as outdoor space that is non covert, or if covert, where the main side is opened. This space has to be separated from the restaurant and bar itself.
  • Public Transport: partial ban - smoking is allowed outdoors on boats, ships and ferries.
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban - excepted local bans (ex: parks in Paris)
  • Private Cars : smoking ban in cars with children under 18
  • E-Cigarettes: As per the law from 26 January 2016, the use of e-cigarettes in public spaces is prohibited in schools and in establishments receiving children, in enclosed public transports and in enclosed or covered collective workplaces (Art. L. 3513-6 Code of Public Health). 
  • Heated Tobacco Products: heated tobacco products are covered by the scope of the smokefree laws.
  • Compliance: good

USEFUL LINKS

National Committee against Tobacco (CNCT) (in French)

French Alliance Against Tobacco (in French) 

Minister of Solidarities and health – webpage on tobacco policy (in French)

Circular of November 29, 2006, Regarding the Prohibition of Smoking in Places of Common Us (in French)

Circular of September 17, 2008, Regarding the Prohibition of Smoking in Outside Places (in French)

Thanks to the French CNCT (Comité National Contre le Tabagisme) for its contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Partial Ban
Overall
Good
Compliance
Good
Heated Tobacco Products
Complete Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Partial Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Partial Ban
Hospitals
Complete Ban
Public Transport
Partial Ban
Private Cars
Partial Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Germany

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2007
  • Indoor Workplaces: partial ban - in buildings of the Federal state, public transportation and railway stations, smoking is not allowed - but there´s an exception for declared smoking rooms/smoking areas. Also a federal ordinance from 2004 states that the employer has to take necessary measures to protect non-smoking employees from tobacco related health risks. If necessary, the employer must issue a general smoking ban or a smoking ban restricted to individual areas of the work place.
  • Outdoor Workplaces: partial ban - in buildings of the Federal state, public transportation and railway stations, smoking is not allowed - but there´s an exception for declared smoking rooms/smoking areas.
    Also a federal ordinance from 2004 states that the employer has to take necessary measures to protect non-smoking employees from tobacco related health risks. If necessary, the employer must issue a general smoking ban or a smoking ban restricted to individual areas of the work place.
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: depends of the state
  • Schools and Universities : partial ban - schools are smokefree, further regulation depends on the state
  • Hospitals : depends of the state
  • Bars and Restaurants : depends of the state
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : depends of the state. However no state had introduced a ban.
  • Public Transport: partial ban - in buildings of the Federal state, public transport and railway stations, smoking is not allowed, except for declared smoking rooms/smoking areas.
  • Parks, Beaches : depends of the state. However, no state had introduced a ban.
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: the legal position of e-cigarettes under smokefree legislation was clarified in a 2014 when a court ruled that e-cigarettes cannot be regulated under existing smokefree legislation. Therefore, their use is permitted unless prohibited by the owner of the premises.
  • Heated Tobacco Products: the law is unclear on heated tobacco products régulations.
  • Compliance: limited – between 2011-2013 the German Cancer Research Centre conducted several studies on the implementation of the law concerning smoking in the hospitality sector and found several violations. It is also apparent that a great number of hospitality venues use the exemptions to allow smoking.
  • Future Developments: On the federal level there are two plans to revise/strengthen the existing legislation:
    1. law proposal for a nation-wide smoking ban in cars (to protect children and pregnant women) (Entwurf eines Gesetzes zur Änderung des Bundesnichtraucherschutzgesetzes vom 18.11.2019 - BT-Drs. 19/15276) (in German)
    2. Position paper of CDU/CSU : as a basic position for a forthcoming law proposal which should include revised rules regarding advertisement bans, e-cigarettes etc. ("Verbraucher- und Gesundheitsschutz bei Tabakprodukten und E-Zigaretten" - Positionspapier der CDU/CSU-Fraktion im Deutschen Bundestag, Beschluss vom 10. Dezember 2019) (in German)

USEFUL LINKS

ABNR [Tobacco control campaign alliance of 11 public health NGOs] (in German)

Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum [German Cancer Research Centre] - (predominantly in German although there are also a number of publication in English) 

Die Drogenbeauftragte der Bundesregierung [German Drug Commissioner] (in German)

Federal Ministry of Health (in German, and in English

Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung [The Federal Centre for Health Education] (in German and in English).

Nichtraucher-Initiative Deutschland e.V. [Umbrella organisation for local and regional passive smoking initiatives in Germany] (in German)

Gesetz zur Einführung eines Rauchverbotes in Einrichtungen des Bundes und öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln (Bundesnichtraucherschutzgesetz - BNichtrSchG) [Federal smokefree policy/Federal law] (in German)

Thanks to the ABNR: Aktionsbündnis Nichtrauchen for its contribution to this information.

 STATE LEVEL

All 16 states have implemented different smoke free policies. However, most states still allow for the use and provision of smoking rooms in the hospitality sector. In practice, only three states (Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia and Saarland) have introduced comprehensive smokefree legislation as of January 2020. In those states, all hospitality venues are smokefree and smoking rooms are not permitted.

Baden-Württemberg 

  • Tobacco free regulation date : 2007 (last amendment 2009)
  • Partial ban in school buildings, on school grounds and at school events. Under strict conditions it is possible to install smoking areas outside the school buildings for students under 18 years old and for teachers Apartments located on school grounds are exempted from this ban. Smoking is partially ban in public universities, in which smoking rooms are allowed. It is also allowed to smoke during special events.
  • Partial ban in hospitals and patients care facilities (with exceptions : palliative care, psychiatric treatment, judicial placement in a closed ward of the hospitals, dependence treatment.. A smoking room for hospital employees is allowed.)
  • Partial ban in restaurants and bars :
    - Smoking rooms are permitted ;
    - Smoking in one-roomed bars smaller than 75m² is permitted,
    - Smoking premises must be clearly designated, not service prepared food and not be accessible by persons under 18 years. 
  • General compliance: Limited – Analysis by DKFZ (in 2013) has shown that existing legislation is not always being respected. 
  • A revision is expected in 2020/2021

Useful Links

Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration of Baden-Württemberg (in German)

Mangelhafter Nichtraucherschutz und Gesetzesverstöße in Diskotheken in Baden-Württemberg, DKFZ, 2013 (in German)

Baden-Württemberg Non Smoking Protection Act, 2007 (in German)

Bavaria

  • Tobacco free regulation date: January 2008, last amendment in August 2010.
  • Complete ban in schools, educational institutions, and playgrounds.
  • Partial ban in hospitals (exception in psychiatric hospitals..)
  • Complete ban in indoor sports venues (gymnasiums, indoor pools..)
  • Complete ban in bars and restaurants (except for “closed society”), including festivals.

Useful Links

Bavarian Ministry of Health and Care– Tobacco section (in German) 

Bavarian Health Protection Act, 2010 (in German)

Berlin

  • Tobacco free regulation date : November 2007, last amendment in June 2010
  • Complete ban in educational institutions
  • Partial ban in healthcare facilities: smoking rooms are allowed in psychiatric hospitals, palliative care, institutions for disabled people…
  • Complete ban in sports facilities
  • Partial ban in bars and restaurants (except shisha restaurants):
    - Smoking rooms are authorised;
    - In one-roomed bars smaller than 75m² smoking is permitted;
    - Smoking premises must be clearly designated, not serve prepared food and not be accessible by persons under 18 years.
  • Complete ban in airports (in addition to the federal level)

Useful links:

Berlin Ministry for Health, Care and Equal Opportunities – Health Department (in German) 

Berlin Non Smokers Protection Act, as revised in 2010 (in German)

Brandenburg

  • Tobacco free regulation date: December 2007, last amendment in January 2016.
  • Complete ban in educational institutions and universities.
  • Partial ban in health facilities: smoking rooms are permitted.
  • Complete ban in sports facilities.
  • Partial ban in bars and restaurants:
    - Smoking rooms are permitted if completely separated and clearly designated;
    - Smoking in one-roomed bars smaller than 75m² is permitted;
    - Smoking premises must be clearly designated, not serve prepared food and not be accessible by persons under 18 years.

Useful links:

State of Brandenburg Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Integration and Consumer Protection  (in German)

State of Brandenburg Non Smokers Protection Act, as revised in 2016 (in German)

Bremen

  • Tobacco free regulation date: January 2009, last amendment in 2018.
  • Complete ban in educational institutions and universities, as well as children’s playgrounds.
  • Partial ban in hospitals: smoking rooms are allowed in palliative care and psychiatric facilities. Smoking can also be allowed for therapy purposes.
  • Complete ban in sports facilities.
  • Partial ban in bars and restaurants :
    -Smoking rooms are permitted if completely separated, clearly designated and not accessible to persons under 18 years;
    - Smoking in one-roomed bars smaller than 75m² is permitted;
    - Smoking premises must be clearly designated, and not be accessible by persons under 18 years. No prepared food must be served.
  • General compliance: Limited – Analysis by DKFZ in 2012 has shown that existing legislation was not always respected.

Useful links:

Bremen Smokefree Act, as revised in 2018 (in German)

Bremen Ministry for Health, Women and Consumers Protection (in German)

Hamburg

  • Tobacco free regulation date: January 2007, last amendment in December 2017
  • Complete ban in schools and educational institutions, but partial ban in universities, where there is no ban outdoors.
  • Complete ban in hospitals, preventive and rehabilitation facilities (exceptions can be allowed by the competent authorities for therapeutic reasons).
  • Complete ban in sports venues.
  • Partial ban in bars and restaurants :
    - Smoking rooms are allowed if separated and ventilated.
    - Smoking in one-roomed bars and restaurants smaller than 75m² is permitted.
    - Smoking premises must be clearly designated, not serve prepared food and not be accessible by persons under 18 years.
  • General compliance: Limited – Analysis by DKFZ in 2012 has shown that existing legislation was not always respected.

Useful links:

Hamburg Smokefree Policy, as revised in 2017 (in German)

Hamburg Ministry of Health (in German and in English)

Hessen

  • Tobacco free regulation date : October 2007, last amendment in September 2012 
  • Complete ban in universities.
  • Complete ban in hospitals, preventive and rehabilitation facilities (except decisions from doctors for medical reasons).
  • Complete ban in sports facilities.
  • Partial ban in bars and restaurants :
    - Smoking rooms are allowed. Rooms must be clearly separated and designated and not be accessible by persons under 18.
    - Smoking is allowed in separated rooms designated for private functions;
    - Smoking in one-roomed bars smaller than 75m² is permitted. Such smoking premises must be clearly designated, not serve hot or prepared food and not be accessible by persons under 18;
    - Smoking is allowed in hospitality tents that are used no longer than 21 days in a row at one place; they must be clearly designated.
  • In addition to the federal level, there is also a partial ban in airports, where smoking rooms are allowed.
  • There is a plan for a revision in 2020.

Useful links:

Hessen Smokefree Policy, as revised in 2012 (in German)

Hessen Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration (in German and in English) 

Lower Saxony

  • Tobacco free regulation date : August 2007, last amendment in December 2009.
  • Complete ban in schools and universities, as well as open spaces.
  • Partial ban in hospitals and preventive facilities (exception : palliative care rooms which are left to residents for private or residential use, or depending on an authorisation from doctors for medical reasons)
  • Complete ban in sports venues.
  • Partial ban in bars and restaurants:
    - Smoking rooms are permitted if completely separated and clearly designated;
    - Smoking in one-roomed bars smaller than 75m² is permitted;
    - Smoking premises must be clearly designated, not serve prepared food and not be accessible by persons under 18.
  • In addition to the federal level, there is a partial ban in airports, where smoking rooms are allowed.

Useful links:

Lower Saxony Smokefree Policy, as revised in 2009 (in German)

Lower Saxony Ministry of Social Affairs, Health and Equality (in German)

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

  • Tobacco free regulation date : August 2007, last amendment in 2014.
  • Partial ban in schools and higher education institutions: smoking rooms are authorised.
  • Partial ban in hospitals, preventive and rehabilitation facilities where smoking rooms are authorised (exception : can have a license on grounds of medical, therapeutic and conceptual indications).
  • Partial ban in sports facilities: smoking rooms are authorised.
  • Partial ban in bars and restaurants:
    - Smoking rooms are allowed;
    - Smoking in one-roomed bars smaller than 75m² is permitted;
    - Rooms must be clearly designated, not serve prepared food and not be accessible by persons under 18.
  • In addition to the federal level, there is a partial ban in airports, where smoking rooms are allowed.

Useful links:

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Smokefree Legislation, as revised in 2014 (in German)

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Ministry of Economy, Labour and Health (in German and in English)

North Rhine-Westphalia

  • Tobacco free regulation date : 2007, last amendment May 2013.
  • Complete ban in educational facilities (schools and universities) indoors and outdoors as well as playgrounds.
  • Partial ban in health and social services : smoking rooms can be allowed in patient care institutions, centres for people with disabilities and homeless shelters. Exceptions can be made for people undergoing palliative care or psychiatric treatment, and for therapy goals.
  • Complete ban in sports facilities.
  • Complete ban in bars and restaurants. However, smoking is permitted in closed rooms hosting private functions.
  • In addition to the federal level, there is a partial ban in publicly accessible areas of airports, where smoking rooms are allowed.
  • General compliance: Limited – Analysis by DKFZ in 2011 has shown that existing legislation was not always respected.

Useful links:

North Rhine-Westphalia Smokefree Policy,  as revised in 2013. (in German)

North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry for Labour, Health and Social Affairs (in German)

Rhineland-Palatinate

  • Tobacco free regulation date : February 2008, last amendment in December 2019.
  • Partial ban in schools and universities : smoking rooms are allowed under strict conditions.
  • Complete ban in hospitals, preventive and rehabilitation facilities (small exceptions for therapy goals, or for psychiatric treatment on an individual basis).
  • Complete ban in sports facilities.
  • Partial ban in bars and restaurants:
    - Smoking rooms are permitted. Rooms must be smaller than the main room, clearly separated and designated, no food must be served in the room;
    - Smoking in one-roomed bars smaller than 75m² is permitted;
    - Smoking is permitted in rooms hosting private functions;
    - Smoking is allowed in hospitality tents that are used no longer than 21 days in a row at one place; they must be clearly designated.

Useful links:

Rhineland-Palatinate Smokefree Policy, as amended in 2018 (in German)

Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry for Social Affairs, Labours, Health and Demography (in German)

Saarland

  • Tobacco free regulation date : November 2007, last amendment in March 2017.
  • Complete ban in educational institutions, schools and universities.
  • Complete ban in healthcare facilities: small exception in rooms for the use of resident only or in case of individual authorization for therapeutic reasons.
  • Smoking ban in sports facilities.
  • Complete ban in restaurants and bars.
  • In addition to the federal level, there is a ban in airports.

Useful links:

Saarland Smokefree Legislation, as amended in 2017 (in German)

Saarland Ministry for Social Affairs, Health, Women and Families (in German)

Saxony

  • Tobacco free regulation date : February 2008, last amendment in June 2018.
  • Partial ban in educational institutions, indoors and outdoors, but under certain conditions, employers can create smoking rooms for the employees.
  • Partial ban in healthcare facilities: smoking can be allowed with personal authorization for medical purposes. Smoking is authorised in palliative care.
  • Complete ban in sports facilities.
  • Partial ban in bars and restaurants:
    - smoking rooms are permitted if completely separated, clearly designated and not accessible to persons under 18;
    - Smoking in one-roomed bars smaller than 75m² is permitted;
    - Smoking is permitted in rooms hosting private functions.

Useful links:

Saxon Smokefree Policy, as amended in 2018 (in German)

Saxon Ministry for Health (in German)

Saxony-Anhalt

  • Tobacco free regulation date : January 2008, last amendment in August 2014.
  • Complete ban in schools, indoors as outdoors, and universities.
  • Partial ban in healthcare facilities : it is possible to smoke in rooms reserved for the exclusive use of the patient, and with an authorisation for medical purpose.
  • Complete ban in sports facilities.
  • Partial ban in bars and restaurants :
    - smoking rooms are permitted if completely separated, clearly designated and not accessible to persons under 18. No food should be served in this room;
    - Smoking in one-roomed bars smaller than 75m² is permitted.

Useful links:

Saxony-Anhalt Smokefree Policy, as amended in 2014 (in German)

Saxony-Anhalt Ministry for Labours, Social Affairs and Integration (in German, English and French) 

Schleswig-Holstein

  • Tobacco free regulation date : December 2007, last amendment in 2009.
  • Complete ban in educational institutions (schools and universities). It also applies to outdoor space at schools.
  • Complete ban in hospitals, preventive and rehabilitation facilities. (exceptions possible, e.g. for conceptual or therapeutic purposes)
  • Complete ban in sports facilities
  • Partial ban on bars and restaurants:
    - smoking rooms are permitted if completely separated, clearly designated and not accessible to persons under 18. No food should be served in the room;
    - Smoking in one-roomed bars smaller than 75m² is permitted;
    - Smoking is allowed in hospitality tents that are used no longer than 21 days in a row in one place; they must be clearly designated and not accessible to persons under 18 years
  • Compliance: Limited – Analysis by DKFZ (in 2012) has shown that existing legislation was not always respected.

Useful links:

Schleswig-Holstein Smokefree Policy, as amended in 2009 (in German)

Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of Health (in German and English)

Thuringia

  • Tobacco free regulation date : July 2008, last amendment in July 2012.
  • Ban in educational institutions (school and universities).
  • Complete ban in hospitals, preventive and rehabilitation facilities (small exceptions for conceptual or therapeutic purposes)
  • Ban in sports facilities.
  • Partial ban in bars and restaurants:
    - smoking rooms are permitted if completely separated, clearly designated and not accessible to persons under 18 years. No prepared food should be served in this rooms;
    - smoking in one-roomed bars and casinos smaller than 75m² is permitted.

Useful links:

Thuringia Smokefree Legislation, as revised in 2012 (in German)

Thuringia Ministery of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Women and Families (in German)

TypeValue
E-cigarette
No Ban
Overall
Weak
Compliance
Limited
Heated Tobacco Products
No Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Partial Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Partial Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Partial Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Greece

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2009 (last amendment in 2019)
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: complete ban - smoking ban in enclosed areas of gymnastics, team sports and sporting events, as well as open-air stadiums.
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban
  • Hospitals : complete ban
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: partial ban - smoking rooms are allowed in airports
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban, except in playgrounds
  • Private Cars : partial ban - smoking ban in cars with children under 12
  • E-Cigarettes: same restriction as other tobacco products
  • Heated Tobacco Products: same restriction as other tobacco products
  • Compliance: weak

USEFUL LINKS

Greek Ministry of Health (in Greek)

Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 2013 – Greece (in English)

Thanks to Luk Joossens for his contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Very Good
Compliance
Weak
Heated Tobacco Products
Complete Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Complete Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Complete Ban
Public Transport
Partial Ban
Private Cars
Partial Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Hungary

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2002
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban - with some small restricted exceptions
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: no ban
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban - it also includes playgrounds.
  • Hospitals : partial ban - except psychiatric institutes
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: complete ban
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: e-cigarettes are included in the scope of the smoke-free laws
  • Heated Tobacco Products: heated tobacco products are included in the scope of the smokefree laws
  • Compliance: good

USEFUL LINKS

Hungarian Ministry of Health (in Hungarian) 

Hungarian Focal Point for Tobacco Control (in Hungarian and in English)

WHO Tobacco Country Profile – Hungary, 2019 (in English)

WHO Tobacco Control in Practice – Article 8: Protection from exposure to tobacco smoke: the story of Hungary, 2014 (in English)

Thanks to Tibor Demjén for his contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Very Good
Compliance
Good
Heated Tobacco Products
Complete Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
No Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Complete Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Iceland

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2002 (last amendment in 2007)
  • Indoor Workplaces: partial ban - ventilated smoking rooms are permitted for staff only in all workplaces including hospitality venues and public transport. 
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: complete ban - “tobacco smoking is entirely prohibited (…)  at places where cultural and social events take place, including sports and leisure activities.”
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban
  • Hospitals : partial ban - smoking is allowed in nursing homes and old people’s homes
  • Bars and Restaurants : partial ban - in restaurant, smoking rooms can be set up only for the staff
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: partial ban - smoking is allowed on open decks on ships. The management of aircraft may permit smoking in part of the passenger cabin on international commercial flights which do not land on Iceland.
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: E-cigarettes are regulated under the Act on Electronic Cigarettes and Refill Containers for Electronic Cigarettes, No. 87/2018. It is banned to smoke e-cigarettes in the service areas of public institutions and non-governmental organisations;  in nursery schools, junior schools, senior schools and other educational institutions, or in other premises intended for day care and social, sporting or leisure activities for children and young persons; in healthcare institutions and other places where healthcare services are provided, with the exception of residents’ rooms in nursing homes and homes for the elderly, and in public transport vehicles.
  • Heated Tobacco Products: no ban
  • Compliance: good
  • Future developments: Iceland is working on legislating Heated Tobacco Products

USEFUL LINKS

Icelandic Ministry of Welfare  (in English and Icelandic)

WHO Tobacco Country Profile, 2017– Iceland (In English)

Regulation on restrictions on tobacco smoking, 2007 (in Icelandic)

Thanks to Viðar Jensson for his contribution to this information.

 

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Partial Ban
Overall
Good
Compliance
Good
Heated Tobacco Products
No Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Partial Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Complete Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Partial Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Ireland

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2002 (last amendment in 2013)
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - some stadiums have smoking bans in place, but overall there are little bans set up in sports venues.
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban
  • Hospitals : complete ban
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: complete ban
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : partial ban - smoking in cars with children and pregnant women is banned
  • E-Cigarettes: the situation is unclear. There is no national ban but private premises may prohibit e-cigarettes  Hospitals also banned them.
  • Heated Tobacco Products: heated tobacco products are included in the scope of the smokefree laws.
  • Compliance: good, except in the hospitality sector (compliance before the 2019 revision)
  • Future Developments: there is plan to extend the smoking ban to terraces

USEFUL LINKS

ASH Ireland (in English)

Irish Cancer Society (in English)

Irish Tobacco Control Policy (in English)

Public Health (Tobacco) Act, 2002 (in English)

Thanks to ASH Ireland for its contribution to this information.

 

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Very Good
Compliance
Very Good
Heated Tobacco Products
Complete Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Complete Ban
Public Transport
Complete Ban
Private Cars
Partial Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Israel

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 1983 (last regulation in 2019)
  • Indoor Workplaces: partial ban - separate smoking rooms authorised by the place management are allowed
  • Outdoor Workplaces: partial ban - separate smoking rooms authorised by the place management are allowed
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: complete ban - small exception in stadiums, where separate sitting down area for smokers are allowed.
  • Schools and Universities : partial ban :
    -
    complete ban in schools and kindergartens;
    -
    partial ban in universities : separate smoking rooms allocated by the management team are allowed.
  • Hospitals : partial ban in hospitals - separate smoking outdoor places allocated by the management team are allowed. Complete ban in health clinics.
  • Bars and Restaurants:  partial ban - separate smoking area (mostly outdoors) allocated by the management team is allowed
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : partial ban - separate smoking area (mostly outdoors) allocated by the management team is allowed
  • Public Transport: complete ban
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: since March 2019, e-cigarettes are included in the scope of the smokefree laws.
  • Heated Tobacco Products: heated tobacco products are included in the scope of the smokefree laws.
  • Compliance: weak
  • Future Developments: next Amendments are in RIA (Regulatory Impact Assessment) process. The amendments are aiming at banning the smoking rooms and extend the smokefree legislation to outside spaces.

USEFUL LINKS

Law on the Prevention of Smoking in Public Places and Exposure to Smoking, 1983 (In Hebrew)

Israeli Ministry of Health (in Hebrew, Russian, French, Spanish, English, Arabic)

Thanks to Smoke Free Israel for its contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Good
Compliance
Weak
Heated Tobacco Products
Complete Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Partial Ban
Terraces
Partial Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Complete Ban
Schools / Universities
Partial Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Complete Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Italy

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2003
  • Indoor Workplaces: partial ban - ventilated smoking rooms are permitted. 
  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2005 (last revision in 2019)
  • Indoor Workplaces: partial ban - ventilated smoking rooms are permitted
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - it is banned to smoke in sports venues (“smoking is prohibited in enclosed premises (…)”)
  • Schools and Universities : partial ban in universities - it is banned to smoke indoors, but there are no national outdoors smoking ban. There are some local initiatives. For example, the University of Rome La Sapienza, ban smoking in the first 5 m from the building.
  • Hospitals : partial ban - ban in open spaces of pediatric, obstetric and gynecologist health-care facility premises
  • Bars and Restaurants : partial ban - ventilated smoking rooms are permitted
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: complete ban
  • Parks, Beaches : no national ban, but some municipalities ban smoking in parks and on beaches
  • Private Cars : it is banned to smoke in cars in the presence of minors and pregnant women
  • E-Cigarettes: the use of e-cigarettes containing nicotine is not banned except for schools and school premises
  • Heated Tobacco Products: no
  • Compliance: very good
  • Future Developments: there is an intention to include e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products in the smoking ban, and to extend the smoking ban to bus stops, parks and beaches.

USEFUL LINKS

Italian Ministry of Health (in Italian) 

Law n.3 of the 16/1/2003, art. 51. (Protection of the health of non-smokers) (in Italian)

Thanks to Lorenzo Spizzichino, Maria Sofia Cattaruzza, and Daniela Galeone for their contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Partial Ban
Overall
Good
Compliance
Very Good
Heated Tobacco Products
No Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Partial Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Partial Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Complete Ban
Private Cars
Complete Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Kosovo

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2013
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban - ban in “work environment”
  • Outdoor Workplaces: complete ban - ban in “work environment”
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: complete ban - stadium, arena, or any other show area
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban
  • Hospitals : complete ban
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: complete ban
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: e-cigarettes are not regulated. However there's an article in the Tobacco Control Law that in addition to tobacco products prohibits the use of any equipment that produces emissions of nicotine or any other substance that originates from tobacco, unless approved by the Ministry for medical use.
  • Heated Tobacco Products: no ban
  • Compliance: limited

USEFUL LINKS

Law No. 04/L-156 on Tobacco Control, 2013 (in Serbian, Albanian and English)

Thanks to the Kosovo Advocacy and Development Center (KADC) for its contribution to this information.

 

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Partial Ban
Overall
Weak
Compliance
Limited
Heated Tobacco Products
No Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Complete Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Complete Ban
Public Transport
Complete Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Latvia

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 1999 (last revision in 2010)
  • Indoor Workplaces: partial ban - smoking rooms are permitted
  • Outdoor Workplaces: partial ban - "in places of work, in work-spaces and areas of common use, with the exception of specially designated smoking premises”
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban in stadium - smoking is allowed in designated places
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban in school and other educational institutions
  • Hospitals : partial ban - allowed in places designated for smoking
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : partial ban - the smoking ban applies to outdoor cafes, where it is only allowed to smoke in designated places.
  • Public Transport:  partial ban:
    -Smoking is permitted on long distance trains and ships in designated areas;
    -Smoking rooms are allowed in airports.
  • Parks, Beaches : partial ban in parks and squares in designated areas
  • Private Cars : ban in cars with children and pregnant women
  • E-Cigarettes: since 2014, e-cigarettes are included in the scope of the smokefree laws.
  • Heated Tobacco Products: heated tobacco products are included in the definition of smoking
  • Compliance: good

USEFUL LINKS

Latvian Ministry of Health (in Latvian, English and Russian)

Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (in Latvian)

Law on Restrictions Regarding Sale, Advertising, and Use of Tobacco Products, 1999 (last revision in 2010) (in English)

On the Handling of Tobacco Products, Herbal Products for Smoking, Electronic Smoking Devices and Their Liquids,  2016 (in Latvian) 

Thanks to Aleksandrs Takasovs for his contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Limited
Compliance
Good
Heated Tobacco Products
Complete Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
Partial Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Partial Ban
Private Cars
Complete Ban
Parks / Beaches
Partial Ban

Lithuania

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2007 (last amendment in 2019)
  • Indoor Workplaces: partial ban - smoking rooms are permitted
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - smoking ban in sport venues, not outdoors
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban in schools and universities
  • Hospitals : complete ban
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : partial bansmoking and vaping is now banned on café terraces
  • Public Transport: partial ban  - smoking is permitted on long distance trains
  • Parks, Beaches : no national ban - however, Municipal Councils can ban smoking in public places and other areas within its competency
  • Private Cars : smoking in cars with children under 18 and pregnant women is banned
  • E-Cigarettes: e-cigarettes are included in the scope of the smokefree laws.
  • Heated Tobacco Products: heated tobacco products are included in the scope of the smokefree laws.
  • Compliance: good

USEFUL LINKS

Lithuanian Ministry of Health (in Lithuanian and in English) 

Drug Tobacco and Alcohol Control Department (in Lithuanian and in English) 

Lithuanian National Tobacco and Alcohol Control Coalition (in Lithuanian)

Register of Lithuanian Law on Tobacco Control (in Lithuanian)

Thanks to the Lithuanian National Tobacco and Alcohol Control Coalition (LNTAKK) for its contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Good
Compliance
Limited
Heated Tobacco Products
Complete Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
Partial Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Complete Ban
Public Transport
Partial Ban
Private Cars
Complete Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Luxembourg

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2006 (last amendment in 2017)
  • Indoor Workplaces: no ban - private companies have their own rules (except in public places)
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban - private companies have their own rules (except in public places)
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - ban to smoke and vape in sports areas where children below 16 years old are doing sports
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban
  • Hospitals : partial ban - one smoking room is allowed per hospital. Smoking outside is allowed on specified smoking areas.
  • Bars and Restaurants : partial ban - smoking rooms are allowed
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: complete ban
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban - however it is banned to smoke in playgrounds since 2017
  • Private Cars : it is banned to smoke in cars with children under 12
  • E-Cigarettes:  e-cigarettes are included in the smokefree laws.
  • Heated Tobacco Products: heated tobacco products are included in the smokefree laws.
  • Compliance: good

USEFUL LINKS

Luxembourg Ministry of Health (in French)

Law on Tobacco Control, as revised in 2017 (In French)

Thanks to Pedro Marques for his contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Good
Compliance
Good
Heated Tobacco Products
Complete Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Partial Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
No Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Complete Ban
Private Cars
Partial Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Malta

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2010 (last revision in 2013)
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: no ban
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban
  • Hospitals : complete ban
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban - In 2020, a ban on smoking in outdoor areas of restaurants was issued to protect non-smokers to the Covid-19, but the ban was removed. While this regulation is not used anymore, it shows that tobacco control policy can be dynamic and quickly implemented.
  • Public Transport: complete ban
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : partial ban - smoking in cars with children under 18 is banned
  • E-Cigarettes: e-cigarettes are included in the scope of the smokefree laws.
  • Heated Tobacco Products: heated tobacco products are included in the scope of the smokefree laws.
  • Compliance: limited

USEFUL LINKS

Ministry of Health (in English)

L.N. 23 of 2010, TOBACCO (SMOKING CONTROL) ACT (CAP. 315) Smoking in Public Places Regulations, 2010 (in English)

Thanks to Dorianne Zerafa for her contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Good
Compliance
Limited
Heated Tobacco Products
Complete Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
No Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Complete Ban
Public Transport
Partial Ban
Private Cars
Partial Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Moldova

This information is solely based on a desk research

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2007 (last amendment in 2018)
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - smoking is banned in sport arenas and public squares during events
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban
  • Hospitals : complete ban
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: complete ban
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : partial ban - smoking in cars with children under 18 is banned
  • E-Cigarettes: e-cigarettes are included in the scope of the smokefree laws
  • Heated Tobacco Products: since the 1st January 2020, heated tobacco products are considered as tobacco products
  • Compliance: limited

USEFUL LINKS

Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Protection (in Moldovan, Russian and English)

Law no. 2878 of 2007, last amended in 2018 (in Moldovan)

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Limited
Compliance
Limited
Heated Tobacco Products
Complete Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Complete Ban
Public Transport
Complete Ban
Private Cars
Partial Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Montenegro

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2019
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - ban in closed facilities
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban
  • Hospitals : complete ban
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: complete ban
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: e-cigarettes are included in the scope of the smokefree laws.
  • Heated Tobacco Products: no ban
  • Compliance: the new law were adopted in June 2019 and implemented in July 2019. It is difficult to rate the compliance for now.

USEFUL LINKS

Ministry of Health (in English, Bosnian and Serbian)

Law on the Restrictions of Tobacco Use, 2019 (in Bosnian)

Thanks to Juventas for its contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Limited
Compliance
Limited
Heated Tobacco Products
No Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Complete Ban
Public Transport
Complete Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Netherlands

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 1988 (last amendment in 2019)
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban - from 1st January 2022, smoking rooms aren't allowed anymore
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - smoking ban in sports facilities, no ban outdoors
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban - no smoking rooms and banned outdoors
  • Hospitals : partial ban - there is no smoking ban outdoors, but there is a national movement among health care facilities to make their outdoors smokefree.
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban after a ruling from the Dutch Supreme Court on 27 September 2019
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: partial ban - Smoking rooms are not allowed anymore at stations. Smoking outdoors is allowed (bus and tram stop, etc). NS and ProRail have decided to make all train stations in the Netherlands smoke-free.
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: complete ban – e-cigarettes are included in the scope of the smoke-free law since 2020
  • Heated Tobacco Products: complete ban – heated tobacco products are included in the scope of the smoke-free laws since 2020.
  • Compliance: good
  • Smoke Free Generation: Since 2018, the Dutch government is aiming to a Tobacco Free Generation by 2040

USEFUL LINKS

Alliantie Rookvrij Nederlands (Dutch Alliance for a Smokefree Society) (in Dutch)

Compliance and enforcement figures from the Dutch House of Representatives (in Dutch) 

Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (in Dutch)

Dutch Smokefre laws and policies (in Dutch)

Government website on smokefree regulations (in Dutch)

Ban on smoking in the workplace (English)

Thanks to the Dutch Cancer Society and the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) for their contributions to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Very Good
Compliance
Good
Heated Tobacco Products
Complete Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Partial Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

North Macedonia

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2003 (last amendment in 2018)
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban - "smoking shall be permitted exclusively out of the business premises"
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: complete ban
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban
  • Hospitals : complete ban
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: complete ban
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: e-cigarettes are included in the scope of the smokefree laws.
  • Heated Tobacco Products: no ban
  • Compliance: limited

USEFUL LINKS

Ministry of health (in Macedonian and Albanian)

Law on protection from smoking, as amended in 2010 (unofficial English translation)

Thanks to the Institute of Public Health of Republic of Macedonia for its contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Weak
Compliance
Limited
Heated Tobacco Products
No Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Complete Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Complete Ban
Public Transport
Complete Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Norway

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 1973 (last amendment in 2018)
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: no ban
  • Schools and Universities : no ban in outdoor university areas 
  • Hospitals : complete ban - as well as in outdoor passageways (small exceptions : institutions which replace people homes, e.g. nursing homes for elderly people.)
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: complete ban
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: e-cigarettes are included in the scope of the smokefree laws.
  • Heated Tobacco Products: Heated tobacco products are included in the scope of the smoke-free laws.
  • Compliance: very good

USEFUL LINKS

Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services (in Norwegian) 

Norwegian Tobacco Control Policy (in Norwegian)

Norwegian Directorate of Health on Tobacco Control (in English and Norwegian)

Norwegian Cancer Society (English part of the Norwegian Cancer Society’s website)

Act No 14 of 9 March 1973 relating to the prevention of the harmful effects of tobacco, 1973 (as amended in 2018) (in Norwegian)

Information concerning Norwegian rules on novel nicotine products in relation to tobacco-free snus and electronic cigarettes (in English)

Thanks to the Norwegian Cancer Society for its contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Good
Compliance
Very Good
Heated Tobacco Products
Complete Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
No Ban
Schools / Universities
No Ban
Hospitals
Complete Ban
Public Transport
Complete Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Poland

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 1995 (last amendment in 2019)
  • Indoor Workplaces: partial ban - smoking rooms are authorised
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - ban on the enclosed premises of sport establishments
  • Schools and Universities : partial ban :
    - complete ban in schools;
    - partial ban in universities: smoking rooms are permitted
  • Hospitals : partial ban - smoking rooms are allowed in assisted living, at nursing home and at psychiatric wards
  • Bars and Restaurants : partial ban - if the venue has two rooms, the owner can exclude one room of the restriction 
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: complete ban
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban - but some local authorities introduces some smoking bans in parks 
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: e-cigarettes are included on the scope of the smokefree laws
  • Heated Tobacco Products: heated tobacco products are included on the scope of the smokefree laws
  • Compliance: limited

USEFUL LINKS

Polish Ministry of Health (in Polish) 

Smokefree Poland Partnership (in Polish)

Smokefree Rooms Campaign (in Polish)

Thanks to Lukasz Balwicki for his contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Limited
Compliance
Limited
Heated Tobacco Products
Complete Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Partial Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Partial Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Complete Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Portugal

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2007 (last amendment in 2017)
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban
  • Outdoor Workplaces: complete ban in workplaces  - "any place where workers are located, and where they are directly or indirectly subject to the control of their employer"
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - smoking ban in gymnasium. No outdoors ban.
  • Schools and Universities : partial ban in schools and universities - smoking ban indoors, but not outdoors.
  • Hospitals : partial ban - in psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric alcohol and drug services smoking rooms are allowed. There is also no smoking ban outdoors.
  • Bars and Restaurants : parrtial ban - ventilated smoking areas are permitted.
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: partial ban - smoking rooms are allowed in airports.
  • Parks, Beaches : ban in children playgrounds and on beaches.
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: e-cigarettes containing nicotine are covered since 2017
  • Heated Tobacco Products: since 2017, smokeless tobacco products are included in the scope of the smokefree law
  • Compliance: limited - poor enforcement : very difficult to apply fines, even in premises that should be 100% smokefree such as hospitals.
  • Future Developments: The current smoke-free policy is under discussion; an amendment in 2021 would ban smoking rooms in the hospitality venues and psychiatric medical facilities, while maintaining a few exemptions; this would be regulated by a new bill that has been publicly discussed in August but still not decided by the current Government (Portugal held elections in January 2022, thus this was postponed to the next Government)

 USEFUL LINKS

General Directorate of Health (in Portuguese) 
Portuguese Ministry of Health (in Portuguese)
Law No 37/2007, 2007 and its amendments in 2017 (in Portuguese)

Thanks to the  Centro de Apoio, Tratamento e Recuperação, IPSS (CATR) for its contribution to this information.

 

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Partial Ban
Overall
Limited
Compliance
Limited
Heated Tobacco Products
Complete Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Partial Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Partial Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Partial Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
Partial Ban

Romania

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2002 (last amendment in 2016)
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - smoking ban in enclosed sports facilities
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban in schools and universities, including the courtyard
  • Hospitals : complete ban, including the courtyard
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: partial ban - smoking rooms are allowed in airports
  • Parks, Beaches : partial ban - tobacco smoking is illegal around playgrounsds
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: e-cigarettes are banned in public transport
  • Heated Tobacco Products: no ban
  • Compliance: good
  • Future Developments: a project of law of a total ban of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products in all enclosed public places is debated in the Parliament
  • Smoke Free Generation: Civil societies and medical societies gathered around “2035 – First Tobacco-free Generation of Romania Strategy”.

USEFUL LINKS

Romanian Ministry of Health (in Romanian) 

WHO Tobacco Country Profile 2017 – Romania (in English)

Law no 349 of June 6, 2002, on Preventing the Consumption of Tobacco Products and Combating its Effects (as amended in 2016) (in Romanian)

Thanks to the Romanian Association for Health Promotion (ARPS) for its contribution to this information.

 

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Partial Ban
Overall
Very Good
Compliance
Good
Heated Tobacco Products
No Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Complete Ban
Public Transport
Partial Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
Partial Ban

Serbia

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2010
  • Indoor Workplaces: partial ban - smoking rooms are authorised
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - complete ban in enclosed sports venues. No smoking ban in open ones
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban in areas designated for education
  • Hospitals : partial ban :
    - vomplete ban in areas designated for health care ;
    - But smoking is allowed in areas for : ‘the users of social care with reduced mobility or total immobility, disabled persons, mentally impaired as well as those with disturbed development; 2) patients of special hospitals for treatment of psychiatric illnesses as well as psychiatric ward patients; 3) users of institutions and wards for palliative care.'
  • Bars and Restaurants : partial ban :
    -  bars and restaurants can be completely smoke free;
    - If restaurants are bigger than 80m2: at least 50% shall be nonsmoking. If the surface does not allow to divide the space, then the person in charge shall designate a visual non-smoking space;
    - If restaurants are less than 80m2, the person in charge can choose between smoke free or smoking area;
    - Smoking is completely banned in all restaurants/cafes/bars which are a part of the premises where smoking is completely banned, such as shopping malls,enterprises, hospitals, schools, governmental and local authority buildings, etc.
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: complete ban - as well as enclosed stations
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: no ban
  • Heated Tobacco Products: no ban
  • Compliance: weak
  • Future Developments: a Working Group, appointed by the Ministry of Health in 2015, prepared the amendments to the Law banning smoking on all indoors public places, including all hospitality premises. However, it has neither been considered nor accepted yet.

USEFUL LINKS

Serbian Ministry of Health (in English and Serbian)

Law on the Protection of the Population from Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, 2010 (in Serbian)

Thanks to the Serbian Association „Health Mission“ for its contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Partial Ban
Overall
Weak
Compliance
Weak
Heated Tobacco Products
No Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Partial Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Complete Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Slovakia

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2004 (last amendment in 2016)
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban
  • Outdoor Workplaces: complete ban - smoking "‘ban on smoking in work places"
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - smoking ban in enclosed sports facilities, not in open ones
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban indoors and outdoors, as well as universities
  • Hospitals : partial ban - smoking rooms are allowed in psychiatric department
  • Bars and Restaurants : partial ban:
    - No ban in bars,
    - Partial ban in restaurants : smoking and separated rooms allowed if at least 50% of the facility is defined as a non smoking area
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: complete ban
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : partial ban - smoking in cars with children is banned
  • E-Cigarettes: e-cigarettes are included in the scope of the smokefree laws.
  • Heated Tobacco Products: no ban
  • Compliance: good, except in the hospitality sector 

USEFUL LINKS

Slovakian Ministry of Health (in Slovak) 

WHO Tobacco Country Profile, 2017– Slovakia (in English)

Act of 26 May 2004 (NO 377/2004) on the Protection of Non-smokers (amended in 2016) (in Slovak)

 Thanks to Mr Sylvia Sklarova for her contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Limited
Compliance
Good
Heated Tobacco Products
No Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Partial Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Complete Ban
Private Cars
Partial Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Slovenia

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2017
  • Indoor Workplaces: partial ban - smoking rooms are authorised
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: no ban
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban at schools and universities
  • Hospitals : partial ban - smoking rooms are allowed in psychiatric hospitals
  • Bars and Restaurants : partial ban - smoking rooms, where no food or drink is allowed, are permitted. Smoking rooms must be no bigger than 20% of the entire property and cannot constitute a transition room between two rooms.
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: partial ban - smoking rooms are allowed in stations
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : partial ban - smoking in cars with children under 18 is banned
  • E-Cigarettes: e-cigarettes are included under ‘related products’ in the smokefree laws
  • Heated Tobacco Products: heated tobacco products are included under ‘related products’ in the smokefree laws
  • Compliance: good - except on the ground of educational institutions

USEFUL LINKS

Slovenian Coalition for Public Health, Environment and Tobacco Control (in Slovene and English)

Slovenian Ministry of Health (in Slovene and in English) 

WHO Tobacco Country Profile, 2017 – Slovenia  (In English)

Youth Network No Excuse Slovenia (in Slovene)

The law on restricting the use of tobacco and related products, 2017 (possibility to select your language)

Thanks to the Slovenian Coalition for Public Health, Environment and Tobacco Control (SCTC) for its contribution to this information.

 

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Good
Compliance
Good
Heated Tobacco Products
Complete Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Partial Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
No Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Partial Ban
Private Cars
Partial Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Spain

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2005 (last amendment in 2017)
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban - smoking is allowed
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - smoking is banned in sports facilities and indoor places where public shows are taking place. When an outdoor children’s show is taking place, it is banned to smoke outdoors, otherwise it is allowed.
  • Schools and Universities : partial ban:
    - Complete ban in schools (indoors and outdoors). There is also a safe perimeter around schools where it is banned to smoke.
    -
    Partial ban in universities and education centers destined to adults : smoking ban indoors and smoking is allowed outdoors, except in entrances and in sidewalks surrounding the centres. (‘Smoke is banned in teaching and training centers, except in the outdoor spaces of university centers and those exclusively dedicated to adult education, provided they are not immediate accessible to the surrounding buildings or sidewalks’)
  • Hospitals : complete ban indoors and outdoors
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban - except in private smoking club
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : partial ban - if the terrace has more than two walls and a roof, then it’s considered as an indoor space and therefore smoking is banned.
  • Public Transport: partial ban:
    - ban in public transport, indoor train and metro stations
    - no ban in bus stations
    - unclear for semi-outdoor platforms.
  • Parks, Beaches : partial ban -  ban on playgrounds. No national ban on smoking at the beach yet, but the "Waste law for contaminated soils for a circular economy” that passed in April 2022 allows city councils to ban smoking on beaches. The city councils have the power to fine anyone disrespecting the law (up to 2000€). So far, only Barcelona (from next July), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (from next September) fine for smoking on their beaches. Here is a map showing the smokefree beaches.
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: the use of e-cigarettes was prohibited on January 2014 in public spaces including hospitals, education centres, public administration buildings and public transport.
  • Heated Tobacco Products: heated tobacco products are covered by the Royal Decree 579/2017
  • Compliance: Good - but some problem of compliance :
    - on hospital grounds
    - in closed terraces (the ban is not displayed on the spot, and ashtrays are placed on tables.). The Health Ministry produced infographic on that subject.
    - as it’s unclear for semi-outdoor platforms, people are smoking
    - in children parks : not too many signs and compliance
  • Future Developments: the Catalonian government has announced that they will ban it in their next addiction law. Some announcements have also be made :
    - a ban to smoke in cars with children
    - the e-cigarettes legislation may equal those of cigarettes 

USEFUL LINKS

Spanish Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality - (in Spanish) 

Law 28/2005, of December 26, on sanitary measures against smoking an regulating the sale, supply, consumption and advertising of tobacco products (last amended in 2017) (In Spanish)

PORQUE NOSOTROS Sľ! XQNS! - Grassroots movement for public health and the advancement of the smokefree law in Spain - (in Spanish and English) 

Spanish Committee for Smoking Prevention (in Spanish)

Petition / Campaign on Smoke-free beaches in Spain, by Nofumadores.org (in English)

Nofumadores.org (nonsmokers.org) – civil NGO for the right to live without tobacco smoke - (in Spanish and English)

Thanks to Raquel Fdez. Megina for her contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Partial Ban
Overall
Very Good
Compliance
Good
Heated Tobacco Products
Complete Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
Partial Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Partial Ban
Hospitals
Complete Ban
Public Transport
Partial Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
Partial Ban

Sweden

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 1995 (last amendment in 2019)
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban - even if the law authorised smoking rooms under strict condition, these are rare in practice
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: complete ban
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban
    - Complete ban in schools indoors and outdoors : even if the law authorised smoking rooms for staff under strict conditions, these are rare in practice
    - Complete ban in universities : even if the law authorised smoking rooms, these are rare in practice
  • Hospitals : partial ban - smoking rooms in hospitals are allowed, but these are rare in practice. Hospital entrances are smoke free. Private rooms for the elderly in housing and facilities with special services or care are not covered by the regulation. They constitute private environments that fall outside the provisions on smoke-free environments (Bill 1992/93: 185 p. 51).
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban - even if the law authorized smoking rooms, in practice these are rare
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : complete ban since 1st July 2019
  • Public Transport: complete ban - even if the law authorised smoking rooms in waiting areas, in practice, there are rare
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: e-cigarettes are covered by the smokefree laws
  • Heated Tobacco Products: no ban
  • Compliance: very good

USEFUL LINKS

A Non-Smoking Generation (in Swedish) 

Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs (in English and Swedish)

Tobaksfakta: A think tank on tobacco (in Swedish) 

Thanks to the Tobaksfakta - Independent Think Tank for its contribution to this information.

 

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Good
Compliance
Very Good
Heated Tobacco Products
No Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
Complete Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Complete Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Complete Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Switzerland

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: smoke free legislation in Switzerland is highly dependent on individual cantons.  2007: Ticino was the first Swiss canton to introduce a smoking ban in hospitality establishments. 2008-2009 Several cantons introduced smokefree legislation, notably as the result of popular initiatives (in Fribourg, Geneva, Neuchâtel and Vaud).  In May 2010, nationwide minimum requirements are introduced. Cantons are allowed to have stricter regulations.
  • Indoor Workplaces: partial ban - smoking is permitted in offices with one person and in smoking rooms.
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban -ban in athletic facilities
  • Schools and Universities : partial ban in educational institutions - it is banned to smoke indoors.
  • Hospitals : partial ban in hospitals and other health care establishments - indoors, not outdoors
  • Bars and Restaurants : partial ban - ventilated smoking rooms are permitted and small bars of less than 80m² may allow smoking. In the 15 cantons having smokefree regulations stronger than national law, smoking rooms are allowed. Yet all have different regulations for smoking rooms. In 8 of these cantons, service is allowed in the smoking rooms, while it is not in the other 7 cantons.
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: complete ban in public transport buildings and vehicles. The Swiss Federal Railways has decided to ban smoking on outdoor railway platforms. It is still allowed to smoke on the outdoor areas of boats. Smoking rooms are allowed in Airports.
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: the use of e-cigarettes is only prohibited in public transport
  • Heated Tobacco Products: no ban
  • Compliance: good
  • Future Developments : A new law should come into force in mid- 2023. FF 2021 2327 - Loi fédérale sur les produits du tabac et les cigarettes électroniques (Loi sur les produits du tabac, LPTab) (admin.ch) . E-cigarettes and HTP will also be banned where smoking is currently prohibited by law. An exception is made for shops selling electronic cigarettes and HTP.

USEFUL LINKS

Swiss Tobacco Control Policy (in German, French, Italian and English)

Ordinance on Protection Against Second Hand Smoke, 2009 (in French)

State of tobacco regulation in the cantons, 01.01.2019, Swiss Confederation (in French)

Why did Swizz citizens refuse a comphrenesive second-hand smoke ban ? AD. Durhamm P Diethelm, J. Cornuz, 2014, Swiss Medical Weekly. (in English)

Thanks to Pascal Diethelm for his contribution to this information.

 

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Partial Ban
Overall
Weak
Compliance
Good
Heated Tobacco Products
No Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Partial Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Partial Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Partial Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Complete Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Turkey

This information is solely based on a desk research.

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2007 (last amendment in 2013)
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban - there is an indoors ban but smoking areas are allowed outdoors
  • Schools and Universities : partial ban - there is a ban in indoor areas that are used for educational purposes
  • Hospitals : partial ban - there is a ban in indoor areas that are used for health purposes
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: complete ban
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban
  • Private Cars : complete ban
  • E-Cigarettes: e-cigarettes are banned indoors, even if the term e-cigarette is not used in the legislation : “any product that resembles cigarettes, containing tobacco or substances derived from tobacco cannot be used indoors” (Law 6487 of 2013 amending Law 4207 Article 2(6))
  • Heated Tobacco Products: heated tobacco products are banned indoors. Even if the term heated tobacco products is not used in the legislation, “any product that resembles cigarettes, containing tobacco or substances derived from tobacco cannot be used indoors” (Law 6487 of 2013 amending Law 4207 Article 2(6))
  • Compliance: good, except in the hospitality sector (compliance before the 2019 revision)
  • Future Developments : next Amendments are in RIA (Regulatory Impact Assessment) process. The amendments are aiming at banning the smoking rooms and extend the smokefree legislation to outside spaces. Its not yet published, and due to COVID19 and 4 national election and changes of the ministries of health during 2019-2021, it wasn't moved forward.

USEFUL LINKS

Turkish Ministry of Health (in Turkish) 

Sigara ve Sağlik Ulusal Komitesi [National Cigarette and Health Committee] (in Turkish)

WHO Tobacco Country Profile, 2017 – Turkey (in English)

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Partial Ban
Overall
Good
Compliance
Good
Heated Tobacco Products
Partial Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Partial Ban
Hospitals
Partial Ban
Public Transport
Complete Ban
Private Cars
Complete Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

Ukraine

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: 2005 (last amendment in 2021). Conditions allowing, the 2021 amendments will to come into effect in summer 2022.
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: complete ban in the premises and on the territory of sports and physical health facilities, physical education and sports institutions
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban in the premises and on the territory of educational institutions
  • Hospitals : complete ban in the premises and on the territory of healthcare facilities
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: partial ban - can have smoking rooms in airports
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban, excepted on children’s playgrounds
  • Private Cars : no ban
  • E-Cigarettes: the use of e-cigarettes comes under the same legislation that applies to cigarettes (article 13 On measures to prevent and reduce the consumption of tobacco products and their harmful influence on the population’s health).
  • Heated Tobacco Products: the use of heated tobacco products comes under the same legislation that applies to cigarettes
  • Compliance: limited

USEFUL LINKS

Ministry of Health of Ukraine (in Ukrainian)

Law of Ukraine No. 2899-IV on Measures to Prevent and Reduce the Consumption of Tobacco Products and their Harmful Influence on the Population’s Health, September 22, 2005 (as last amended in 2012) (in Ukrainian)

Legislation by country, Ukraine, CTFK (in English)

Ukraine: Smoke Free Places, CTFK (in English)

Thanks to the Life: Regional Advocacy Center for its contribution to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
Complete Ban
Overall
Good
Compliance
Limited
Heated Tobacco Products
Complete Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Complete Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Complete Ban
Public Transport
Partial Ban
Private Cars
No Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

United Kingdom

  • First Tobacco Free Regulation: Scotland (2006), England, N. Ireland & Wales (2007)
  • Indoor Workplaces: complete ban
  • Outdoor Workplaces: no ban
  • Sports Venues, Stadium: partial ban – legislation bans tobacco smoking in stadiums, but not e-cigarette smoking. The premier league bans e-cigarettes, but the English Football League and Scottish Premiership don't. A voluntary ban can cover the external areas of professional football stadiums.
  • Schools and Universities : complete ban in educational facilities. Wales also banned smoking on school grounds, outdoor day care and child-minding settings (2021). 
  • Hospitals : complete ban in health care facilities. Scotland's ban comes into force the 5th of September 2022.
  • Bars and Restaurants : complete ban
  • Terraces of Restaurants / Bars : no ban
  • Public Transport: complete ban
  • Parks, Beaches : no ban - but Wales banned smoking in public playgrounds (2021)
  • Private Cars : partial ban - smoking in cars with children under 18 is banned in the whole of the UK. (Up until recently it was legal in Northern Ireland).
  • E-Cigarettes: no ban
  • Heated Tobacco Products: no ban
  • Compliance: very good
  • Smoke Free Generation: since 2019, England is aiming to be Smoke Free by 2030, meaning than 5% or less of the population will be smokers. Scotland is aiming to a have a tobacco free generation by 2034. In 2012, the Northern Ireland government realised a 10 years tobacco control strategy for Northern Ireland aiming to create a tobacco free society. Wales is aiming for a Smoke-Free Wales by 2030.

USEFUL LINKS

ASH (Scotland)  (in English)

ASH (UK)  (in English)

Cancer Research UK (in English)

UK Department of Health (in English)

Thanks to ASH UK and FRESH for their contributions to this information.

TypeValue
E-cigarette
No Ban
Overall
Very Good
Compliance
Very Good
Heated Tobacco Products
No Ban
Restaurants & Bars
Complete Ban
Terraces
No Ban
Indoor Workplaces
Complete Ban
Outdoor Workplaces
No Ban
Sports Venues / Stadiums
Partial Ban
Schools / Universities
Complete Ban
Hospitals
Complete Ban
Public Transport
Complete Ban
Private Cars
Partial Ban
Parks / Beaches
No Ban

*HTP stands for "Heated Tobacco Products"

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that secondhand smoke causes 19 000 deaths every year in the European Union.

Smoke-free policies have proven their effectiveness to reduce illness and death caused by tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke. Smoke-free legislation in Europe is increasingly protecting millions of Europeans from the harmful effects caused by secondhand smoke. The strong public opinion support for such legislation has led to an encouraging level of compliance. The importance of Article 8 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) has been translated in the European Union by the Council, which in 2009 issued a Council Recommendation on Smoke Free Environments (2009/C296/02) which led to the introduction of comprehensive smoke-free laws by Member States. An update of this now old recommendation is expected for 2023. 

The above information is based on a survey that was circulated in 43 countries in the course of 2021. The data used refers to the legislation passed as of 1 June 2022, meaning any legislation or implementation improvements after this date are not included. Some policies have officially been passed by 1 June 2022, but will only come into force in the later months of the year. For example, Scotland's ban on smoking outside hospitals comes into force on 5 September 2022. 

The overall assessment of each country's performance has been solely based on the provisions and compliance in relation to tobacco smoking but, where available, information regarding the legislative position of e-cigarettes has been included to reflect the ongoing debate in the EU.

SMOKEFREE ENVIRONMENTS UPDATE

Our latest Smokefree Map update perfectly illustrates how smoke-free legislation in Europe has come a long way. Since 2009 when the Smokefree Map was first created, most European countries have introduced comprehensive smoke-free policies encompassing a broad range of areas. Smoking bans have been extended to more public places (hospitals, schools, public transport), workplaces, bars, and restaurants, but also private cars. Open spaces are increasingly covered by smoke-free bans, with a strong focus being put on protecting the most vulnerable from adverse effects of secondhand smoke, whilst also taking into consideration environmental concerns. These more ambitious bans encompass places like children's playgrounds, terraces, or even beaches. 

Recent examples of substantial progress include recent revisions (such as in the Netherlands) and updates to tobacco-free regulations, as well as an overall increase in compliance with smoke-free bans (such as in Slovenia). Some countries focused on specific types of smoking bans, such as smoking in private cars in the presence of minors (such as UK, Lithuania, and Belgium). Latest progress also includes smoking bans on the terraces of bars and restaurants, in Sweden for example. Other countries recently improved the enforcement of smoking bans (such as Greece). Although there are divergences between countries, we note a recent trend in countries that extend smoke-free policies to new products on the market, such as heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes: 37 European countries have included some form of vaping ban, while 23 have included an e-cigarette ban in their smoke-free policies.

However, despite overall significant progress, some European countries are still falling behind. Countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Kosovo, still have weaker smoke-free policies, less effective enforcement, and lower compliance. Longstanding difficulties in implementing comprehensive smoke-free measures are also witnessed in federal states such as Switzerland and Germany, where smoke-free bans remain globally weak and/or unequal between states. Urgent measures need to be taken to ensure a convergence of smoke-free legislation throughout Europe and equal protection from the exposure of non-smokers, children, and teenagers to passive smoking and its consequences.

Click here for the printable version of the 2022 Smokefree Map.

If you notice any inaccuracies or would like to share an update, please email info@smokefreepartnership.eu

We would like to thank all the contributors to the map. A special thanks to Luk Joossens for his valuable feedback and advice.

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