Beaches in the Spanish holiday hotspot of Benidorm could become smoke-free under proposals from local centre-left politicians. The PSOE socialist party is calling for smoking bans on all beaches around the city which was visited by 900,000 British holidaymakers in 2024.
There are currently three smoke-free zones on beaches on the Costa Blanca resort. Those caught smoking in these areas can face fines of reportedly up to €750 (£653). It is not clear whether these fines would apply across Benidorm’s beaches if the ban is expanded, as called for by PSEO.
The opposition wants Benidorm City Council, run by the People’s Party (PP), to have all of Benidorm’s beaches join the Valencian Community’s ‘Network of Smoke-Free Beaches’ initiative.
Councillor Laura Rubio pointed out other nearby towns in the Alicante region have already introduced the bans.
She said it is “not acceptable” the smoke-free spots in Benidorm are limited to “very specific points” on accessible beaches for people with restricted mobility.
Cllr Rubio said the rest of Benidorm’s coast “remains unprotected” and warned this could also be having an impact on the environment.
“Cigarette butts create very abundant waste on the sandbanks and one of the most harmful; a single cigarette butt can contaminate up to 50 litres of water which takes a decade to degrade, releasing microplastics and toxic substances such as arsenic or lead into our marine ecosystem,” she said, according to Olive Press, an English-language newspaper based in Spain.
The councillor called on council leaders to make the changes “as soon as possible”.
She added: “We want a transition towards healthier beaches, where pure air and respect for the environment are the norm and not the exception.
“If other neighbouring municipalities have already achieved it with an excellent acceptance by tourists and residents, what is the mayor, Toni Perez, waiting for?
As it stands, there are two smoke-free zones on Benidorm’s Poniente Beach and one on Levante Beach.
Benidorm is one of Spain’s most visited destinations by British holidaymakers.
Brits are the largest international tourist group to flock to the city which is popular with both sun-worshippers, families and stag and hen dos.
It is famous for its skyscrapers, bars and clubs, and has been dubbed the ‘Spanish Las Vegas’.
