Another Spanish beach introduces new ban in time for summer

SMOKERS beware as another beach in Spain is implementing a ban.

The L'Albir beach in Alicante will no longer allow smoking on the sands with rules coming into effect during the summer season.

News of the smoking ban on the popular beach between Benidorm and Altea was announced on Friday, 21 March, by the mayor of L'Alfas, Vincente Arques.

He said: “This measure is part of the council's policy to position ourselves as a benchmark for healthy international tourism.”

L'Albir is a 600-meter stretch of pebbly beach with clear, warm water, located in the Costa Blanca region of Spain.

Beyond the beach, there's also has a promenade full of cafes, restaurants and shops.

In the past, L'Albir beach has been awarded Blue Flag status for its high standard of both cleanliness and safety.

It's not the only beach where smoking is not allowed, over the last four years, many beaches have implemented the ban.

Last summer, two beaches in Benidorm, Levante and Poniente, put a stop to smoking.

It's not just there either, lots of regions like the Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Menorca, Majorca), Valencia, and Barcelona, no longer allow smoking on their beaches.

In 2018, the European Environment Agency revealed that cigarette butts were the biggest source of beach pollution.

The ban is an attempt to combat littering and promote cleaner beaches, as well as protecting marine life.

The country also wants to encourage healthy living for locals.

Stricter rules on smoking have come into play since a new law gave local authorities in Spain the power to ban smoking on beaches and fine offenders in 2021.

If local municipalities take up the law, anyone caught smoking on a beach with a ban could be fined up to €2,000 (£1,700).

So for any smokers, it's worth taking a look at the rules of beaches and towns before heading on your summer holiday.

There are some other rules that have come into play in Spain over the years.

For example, some municipalities have strict regulations when it comes to swimwear.

In Barcelona, people can only wear bikinis on the beach, anyone seen wearing one in the town could be fined £260.

Anyone in Majorca wearing a bikini will be safe on the beach, but off it, could be fined up to £500.

Men not wearing a top in both places could also face hefty fines which can even be issued even on the streets next to the beaches.

As of December last year, new rules to help Spanish boarder control put a stop to organised crime means holidaymakers have to divulge lots of personal details.

Anyone travelling over to Spain is required to give hotels and accommodation as well as 31 new pieces of information such as home addresses and phone numbers.

Families will also be asked their relationship to any children travelling with them, as well as their group size.

Plus, more information on the “Spanish tourist ban” and why it won't affect your holiday.

And the holiday hotspots where costs could go up by 200 per cent under new measures.