From January 16, 2023, a long-awaited law will come into force prohibiting tourists and locals from smoking on the shores of the popular resort of Tenerife, which is one of the Canary Islands in Spain.
Tenerife is one of the top travel destinations for many travelers. However, already this month, some smokers will have to come to terms with the new strict rules introduced by the authorities of Santa Cruz in agreement with the Ministry of Health of the Iberian kingdom. From January 16 (Monday), local public beaches will be non-smoking. As noted in the Ministry of Health, the ban on smoking has two goals: to reduce the risks of pollution and to help reduce the number of smokers in the country.
“To avoid the presence of cigarette butts on the sand and possible subsequent pollution of the coast, smoking is prohibited on the beaches and bathing areas of the municipality, except in places specifically authorized and designated by the Council,” the new law states. At the same time, Spanish experts do not distinguish between smoke from conventional and electronic cigarettes, as well as hookah. Smokers caught engaging in a prohibited act in one of the resort’s public areas face a hefty fine.
According to the public health commission, smoking on the coast is a potential threat to pollution of the sea and sand, so anyone who leaves garbage outside the bin or scatters cigarette butts, or chewing gum, faces a fine of 2,000 euros.
Within the framework of the law, establishments such as beach restaurants and bars that do not supply garbage cans and bins for their tourist clients and do not keep their territories clean will also be punished: in case of fixing a violation, they will have to pay a considerable fine – 100,000 euros.
“Owners of beach bars, kiosks, restaurants, and other hospitality establishments near or within beaches must act responsibly and avoid the generation of scattered garbage, and must also have the necessary containers for it,” the ruling also said.
However, although smokers are harassed as much as possible at the island resort, smoking will still be allowed on some of its beaches. To smoke freely overlooking the sea, tourists must check for signs nearby prohibiting it.
Recall that at present a similar ban is already in effect in other Canary Islands, as well as in Galicia, Cantabria, Valencia, Asturias, Aragon, as well as in the Balearic Islands (Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera).
It is worth noting that smoking is already prohibited in Barcelona. The ban was introduced in July. Caught smoking on one of the city’s beaches faces a fine of 30 euros. The following information was published on the Barcelona city website: “This ban is based on the protection of the environment and the right of citizens to enjoy a clean public space free of smoke and cigarette butts.” Moreover, cigarette butts are the main cause of coastal pollution and can be extremely harmful to marine life.
In addition, several leading Spanish destinations have introduced new laws for tourists and locals in recent months. Thus, the Balearic Islands, being a major center of tourism, reported strict rules governing the consumption of alcohol. This was done in an attempt to curb alcohol tourism in the country. Tourists visiting popular party destinations such as Ibiza and Magaluf are now offered a maximum of six drinks per day at all-inclusive hotels. Drink cruises are also banned in resorts, and bars can no longer be offered unlimited drinking.
The authorities of Malaga have announced that they will fine tourists who are caught walking around the city in obscene costumes, for example, in the form of a penis or a sex doll. Surprisingly, such a costumed holiday has been top-rated for some time among vacationers who came to have fun at stag or hen parties in the Pyrenean country. All these new restrictions are explained by the fact that the local authorities have set a course to change the image of the resort.
“Public spaces must be preserved as places where people can meet, socialize and enjoy their leisure time respectfully,” a City Hall source told local media.
According to the expert, the new rules may cause a decrease in tourist flow in the Spanish region.