Balearic Beaches Join Growing Network of Smoke-Free Zones in Spain

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smoke-free beaches Spain

The Balearic Islands have expanded their network of smoke-free beaches, with Muro near Alcudia in northeast Mallorca and Port de Sant Miquel in Ibiza joining the “Smoke-free beaches, healthy beaches” campaign. This brings the total number of smoke-free beaches in the Balearics to 50, as part of a growing trend across Spain to promote healthy habits and protect the environment.

The initiative aims to prevent smoking in designated areas, raise awareness about the importance of not leaving waste in natural spaces, and educate the public about the health risks associated with tobacco consumption. The Regional Ministry has emphasized that smoking is currently one of the leading causes of preventable illness and death worldwide.

Recent data from a survey on drug use in the Balearics revealed that 34.5% of students aged 14 to 18 have smoked tobacco at some point in their lives, with 6.9% smoking daily in the last month. The councillor has stressed the importance of raising awareness among young people about the dangers of tobacco, working on prevention, and promoting healthy lifestyles.

In addition to the health concerns, the campaign also focuses on the environmental impact of tobacco waste, which contains over 7,000 toxic chemical substances that pollute the environment. The ban has been extended to include vaping, with ten beaches in Barcelona and 28 in the Balearic Islands prohibiting the use of e-cigarettes.

The smoke-free beach initiative is gaining momentum across Spain, with 53 beaches in Andalucia, 61 beaches on the Canary Islands, 18 beaches in the Costa del Sol, and one in four beaches in Costa Blanca declaring themselves smoke-free zones. As more regions join the campaign, the hope is that it will contribute to a healthier population and cleaner natural environments.

Matthew Ma
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