No, I’m not talking about smoking weed in Lisbon, I’m talking about nicotine – aka cigarette – smoking in Lisbon. Just for the record. I do not smoke, I hate the smell of smoke, and I think the majority of smokers are litterbugs (pipes at least smell nice). I also think it rather rude for people who smoke to expose others to the dangers of second-hand smoking, so I am quite happy about the upcoming changes to smoking rules in Lisbon. It looks like I may be able to take one thing off my list of things you will hate about living in Lisbon (there aren’t many, but the smoking was a big one for me). Without further ado, these are the rules and regulations for tobacco smoking in Lisbon.
Rules for Smoking in Lisbon
- In Portugal, you must be 18 years old to legally purchase tobacco.
- Smoking in indoor public places is illegal in Portugal. This includes cigarettes, cigars, e-cigs, and pipes.
- Littering (aka dropping your cigarette butts on the ground) can get you a ticket that will run you between €25 – €250.
- Businesses and buildings (like restaurants, bars, etc) must provide proper receptacles where smoking is prohibited must provide patrons with proper cigarette disposal receptacles AND they must clean up the waste up to 5 meters away from their establishment. Those who do not comply can be fined between €250 – €1500.
- New 2023 Smoking Law Goes into effect on January 1. Enclosed spaces under 100m2 will become non-smoking establishments.
This will be a living blog, so I will update it as new Portuguese legislation on smoking comes up and as I learn of others I am not currently aware of. If you know something I missed, let me know in the comments below. I’d also love to hear from you if this law will actually be enforced.
In the meantime, here are some interesting facts about smoking in Portugal:
- There are 700 cigarette butts dropped per minute in Portugal.
- It is a tradition in the village of Vale de Salgueiro for parents to give their children cigarettes to smoke during the Epiphany holiday (that’s on January 6).
- The cost of a pack of cigarettes in Lisbon is €5.
- Portugal lands at the top 33rd spot when it comes to global cancer rates.
On a closing note, the law that would actually make me happy would be banning smoking in parks, beaches, and near schools (this may already be in effect, but from what I see – I doubt it).
Is the smoking also prohibited in the inyards in the hostels and hotels ? Sweden has a law that prohibites the smoking in the front of the entrances to the hotels, hostels , restaurangs and other public places. Is this a swedish or EU regulation ? If it is EU regulation, why it does not limite the smokers pigs in Portugal ?
I am afraid people can smoke where there is open air in Portugal.
I’m visiting Lisbon right now, and I feel like I cannot escape from the smoke. I literally can’t walk ten feet without encountering smoke. Every other person on the street has a cigarette in their hand. It’s making me sick and miserable. I don’t get it!!! It’s so awful and toxic. Don’t these people know the damage it causes??
I feel you, Trish. It has actually gotten better than it used to be. I think in time Portugal will catch up. I hope you enjoy the rest of your visit here.
There are people that smoke and has done for most of there life. good that Portugal can cater for both smokers and non smokers, for a lot of older people it is the only thing they know and it is such a shame to take it from them, because anti smokers are making such a song and dance about it most of these are x smokers themselves. I have found that before the anti smokers atitude to deny them the right to smoke the smokers were very polite and would ask if they minded before lighting up. It is because of the anti smokers atitude toward them that they may light up where aloud to without consulting the non smokers, lets face it they dont have many places to do this now, let them enjoy whats left of there life.
That is just silly. How often do smokers get told not to smoke in Portugal in person? Have they been denied the luxury of smoking? Nope.
I have never in my life had a smoker ask if I mind them lighting up when I am around.
My issue with smoking is that it affects me. Second hand smoke is dangerous.
I think we will just have to agree to disagree on this one.
Just yesterday I was seated “outside” in a restaurant with both walls and rooftop only 50 cm from 3 smokers and the smoke going directly to my was. I already suffer from a lounged disease and find it unacceptable that I have to suffer from smokers terrorising the place I am in.
I hear you, Enrico. I feel the same way. I’ve had friends and family pass from cancer and my biggest issue with smokers is that second hand smoke affects those around them. I do think people are starting to smoke less in Lisbon, so hopefully with time this will change.
Blanca
Hi, Just wanted to update you on the latest law in Portugal to combat smoking. It’s not everything that needs to get done, but it is a step in the right direction. https://blancavalbuena.com/portuguese-smoking-ban-goes-into-effect/