Catalonia's public health officials are advocating for a national law to ban smoking on the beaches to enhance public health and environmental quality. Esteve Fernández, the health secretary, emphasizes that this initiative aims to eliminate cigarettes from beaches entirely, aligning with existing local bans in places like Barcelona. The movement also addresses the negative impact of secondhand smoke and the environmental damage caused by discarded cigarette butts, which harm marine ecosystems. Local councils believe a unified national approach is necessary to maintain clean beaches and fresh air.
Esteve Fernández, the region's health secretary, has made it clear he wants a national law that bans smoking on the beach, full stop. He's hoping Spain's new tobacco law will stamp out cigarettes on every stretch of sand as well.
Quite a few towns along the Catalan coast have already banned smoking on dozens of beaches. Even Barcelona has been at it since 2022, and they haven't needed to fine anyone—people just seem to get on board.
Fernández says it's not about being a killjoy. It's about ensuring no one thinks smoking at the seaside is just a normal part of summer.
Cigarette butts are everywhere on beaches, take forever to break down, and are packed with chemicals that aren't friendly to marine life. Local councils say a national rule is the only way to keep the sands clean and the air fresh.
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