Smoking Banned on 13 Beaches in Tenerife

Smoking Banned on 13 Beaches in Tenerife

Tenerife has introduced a smoking ban on 13 of its beaches, with fines reaching up to €750 for violators. The ban covers popular spots in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and El Rosario, including Las Teresitas, Las Gaviotas, Radazul, and Tabaiba, as well as piers and bathing areas.

This initiative aims to protect beachgoers from cigarette smoke and to prevent littering from cigarette butts. According to Nofumadores.org, Tenerife now has 13 smoke-free beach areas, ten of which are in Santa Cruz, with three in El Rosario.

In 2023, Santa Cruz enforced this ban with the new Waste Management Ordinance. The prohibition not only applies to sandy areas but also affects platforms, sun decks, and access ramps at various locations.

Beaches Where Smoking is Prohibited in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz has identified the following ten beaches where smoking is not allowed:

• Playa de Las Teresitas

• Playa de Las Gaviotas

• Playa Chica

• Playa del Roque de las Bodegas

• Playa de Almáciga

• Playa de Benijo (currently closed for swimming)

• Muelle de Añaza

• Playa Acapulco, in Valleseco

• Zona de baño de El Bloque, in Valleseco

• Dique o muelle de San Andrés

At Las Teresitas, the ban applies to the entire sandy area, including the promenade and kiosks. Smokers must leave the beach and go to designated areas such as nearby parking.

Additional Restrictions in Anaga and El Rosario

The ban also extends to well-known beaches in Anaga, including Benijo and Almáciga. In El Rosario, smoking is prohibited at:

• Playa del Litoral

• Playa de Radazul

• Playa de Tabaiba

Violators in El Rosario face fines ranging from €100 to €750.

Regulations on Vaping

The smoking ban may also include e-cigarettes and other vaping devices, depending on local regulations. Beachgoers are advised to check signage and follow the guidance of monitoring personnel.

Reasons Behind the Ban

The primary goals of this ban are to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke, especially among children and those with respiratory issues, and to prevent the environmental impact of cigarette butts, which can take years to decompose.

Individuals wishing to smoke must leave designated beach areas and find permitted locations, as restrictions at beaches like Las Teresitas are comprehensive.