There is an increasing number of bathers demanding smoke-free beaches, not only because of the inconvenience and health damage it causes to both adults and children, but also because many smokers use the beach sand as an ashtray, resulting in environmental damage. It is worth noting that a cigarette butt takes more than 10 years to degrade, and millions of them end up in the sea each year.
La Platja Nova, beach next to the Empúries jetty (L’Escala town hall)
L’Escala was the first village in Spain to have a smoke-free beach in 2006, the “Platja Nova” (beach next to the Empúries jetty).
In the province of Girona, besides L’Escala, there are currently other beaches where smoking is not allowed, such as:
- Palafrugell: smoking has been prohibited on any of its beaches or coves since 2020
- Lloret de Mar: smoking is not allowed on any beach or cove since January 2024
- Begur: smoking is not allowed on the beaches of Aiguablava, Playa Fonda, and Sa Tuna
- Sant Feliu de Guíxols: smoke-free zones on its 2 beaches
In the province of Barcelona, the beaches where smoking is not allowed are:
- El Masnou: smoking has been prohibited on the two beaches of the municipality since 2023
- Pineda de Mar: smoke-free zone on its beaches
- Barcelona: smoking is not allowed on any of its beaches since 2022
- Calella: smoking is not allowed on the entire beach
In the Balearic Islands, in Ibiza, we find two more smoke-free beaches, such as the urban beach of Santa Eulalia del Río and the beach of Talamanca.
Note: It should be clarified that individuals who do not comply with smoke-free spaces are usually not penalized, as it is generally considered a minor offense, and efforts are made to convince the person with health and respect arguments. Additionally, smoking is allowed in beach bars’ facilities unless otherwise stated.