The municipality of Santa Margalida has joined the new smoke-free beach network promoted by the Balearic Islands Government’s Departments of Health and Consumer Affairs and of Environment and Territory. Son Bauló Beach is the first in the municipality to introduce this initiative, which promotes healthy habits and raises public awareness of the importance of keeping natural spaces free from litter.
It is important to remember the harmful effects of smoking. Tobacco is a direct cause of numerous illnesses, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiovascular diseases, and can worsen other medical conditions.
In this regard, the Directorate-General for Public Health emphasises the aim of expanding smoke-free spaces “and making people aware of the importance of giving up a harmful habit and adopting a healthy lifestyle”. At the same time, “this measure seeks to prevent the danger posed by cigarette butts to young children playing in the sand, who may accidentally swallow them”.
The smoke-free beach network was launched as a pilot initiative. Participation is voluntary, and local councils can decide which stretches of their coastline will join the programme. At Son Bauló Beach, information about the initiative is provided through signs and the distribution of leaflets. Indeed, authorities warn that cigarette butts are the most common form of toxic waste found in marine litter, even ahead of plastics, and that a single cigarette butt can contaminate eight litres of water.
In addition to the health and environmental reasons, the smoke-free beach network “aims to improve the shared use and management of beaches, as dirty beaches cause discomfort for families, especially those visiting with children. From a tourism perspective, smoke-free beaches are increasingly valued as an attraction for family tourism, while litter also leads to higher cleaning costs”.
“Platges sense fum” is a health and environmental protection programme launched in 2019. Through the Directorate-General for Public Health and Participation and the Directorate-General for Waste and Environmental Education, the initiative seeks to promote healthy lifestyles and the benefits of living without tobacco, while protecting our beaches and keeping them free from smoke and litter.
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