Spain Introduces Smoking Ban, Popular Beaches

A total of 28 Spanish beaches have introduced a smoking ban as part of efforts to improve health and become smoke-free zones.

According to Daily Record, a total of 28 beaches across Majorca as well as Ibiza and Menorca, will operate as smoke-free zones, while the new changes have also been introduced in order to tackle the problem of cigarette butts in the sea and sand, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

Similar measures were introduced in Barcelona last year, with tourists risking being fined if caught smoking cigarettes.

A report provided by the Mirror notes that holidaymakers will not be subject to fines if caught on the Balearic beaches. Tourists are being warned regarding the new changes through five-metre banners, including a QR code to permit people to access additional information regarding the new rules.

It has been reported that the recent changes affect holidaymakers in Playa de Santa Eulalia del Río as well as Playa de Talamanca. At the same time, Menorca includes Binissafúller or Platja Gran.

As for Majorca, the new rules will be applied in Sant Joan, Sa Platgeta, Cala Estància, Cala Sant Vicenç, Santa Ponsa, as well as Caló des Moro.

According to a spokesperson for the country’s Ministry of Health and Consumption, the main purpose of this campaign is to create a network of healthy beaches, understand the Balearic coast as a playful area for the enjoyment of outdoor activities that promote smoke-free spaces, enrich the health of those who come to these destinations.

“Today, tobacco use is among the leading causes of preventable disease and death worldwide. Exposure to smoke from tobacco products has been shown to cause health problems similar to those caused by tobacco use,” the spokesperson said.

The same said that over four trillion tobacco filters are littered every year in countries worldwide, with a large number of them ending up in the oceans, thus bringing significant consequences for marine wildlife.

A Spanish lawmaker with the Más País–Equo coalition, Inés Sabanés, has considered that on beaches where smoking is permitted, “cigarette butts continue to rank as the most found waste product and the one with the most significant impact.”

Last year, authorities in Spain reimposed the €30 fee for all those holidaymakers smoking on famous tourist beaches while stressing that an information campaign regarding the issue would be implemented starting in April.

It was also emphasised that a new anti-smoking law which expects further to impose a ban on smoking in private cars would be fully drafted by this year.