Spanish officals have issued a travel warning to holidaymakers as a new rule is rolled out across 28 tourist hotspots. People have been banned from smoking on 28 beaches on the Balearic Islands.
And some beaches in popular destinations such as Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca will be implementing the new smoking ban, reports the Mirror. Now, tourists have been warned about the increase in "smoke-free zones" as part of a major plan by the Balearic Islands to improve people's health and slash the litter problem of cigarette butts being left on the sand.
But it's important to note that people won't be fined if they are caught breaking the rules. Instead, officials are hoping to appeal to tourists' sense of responsibility to follow the new national advice.
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In Spain, almost every fifth adult and adolescent smokes – 18% of adults smoked tobacco in 2020 and 21% of adolescents aged 15–16 smoked cigarettes in 2019, according to the World Health Organsiation. Spain is among a few countries in the WHO European Region which bans tobacco use in all indoor public places, and health campaigners and policy-makers are leading the way to extend smoke-free zones to outdoor spaces, including the country’s sunny beaches.
The force behind the campaign is a Spanish organization called Nofumadores.org, which is composed of passionate people from every corner of Spain fighting for their right to live in a country free from tobacco and nicotine.
The beaches taking part in the scheme now have four-metre banners declaring their smoke free status with QR codes linking to extra information. In Majorca, beaches with smoking bans include Sant Joan, Sa Platgeta, Santa Ponsa, Cala Estància, Cala Sant Vicenç and Caló des Moro.
In Ibiza, smoke-free beaches include Playa de Santa Eulalia del Río and Playa de Talamanca, while in Menorca these include Binissafúller or Platja Gran.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Consumption said: "The objective of the campaign is to create a network of healthy beaches, understanding the Balearic coast as a playful space for the enjoyment of outdoor activities that enriches the health of the people who come, promoting smoke-free spaces.
"Today, tobacco use is one of 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."
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