ANDALUCIA – The beaches on the Andalucian coast will continue their ban on smoking for another year. It is an initiative of the regional Ministry of Health and Family to make the population aware of the negative consequences of smoking.
This “unhealthy habit kills 10,000 people a year in Andalucia”, said the head of the department, Jesús Aguirre, during the presentation of the 2022 campaign. It is up to the municipal councils to apply to participate in the regional health ministry’s programme.
Twelve new beaches, seventeen new bathing spots
A smoking ban on a dozen more beaches this year, brings the total to 52. Most beaches are in the province of Cadiz (24). This is followed by Málaga (15), Almeria (7), Huelva (4), Granada (1) and Cordoba with one inland.
A growing number of municipal swimming pools also have a ban on smoking. This initiative started last year with fifty swimming pools, this year seventeen pools have been added. This brings the total number of public smoke-free swimming spots in Andalucia to 67. The province of Jaén is in the lead with 14 sites, followed by Seville (12), Huelva (10), Cadiz (8), Cordoba (6), Málaga (8), Granada (5) and Almería (4).
Role for the municipality itself
It is up to the municipalities themselves to ask to join the path. Those who wish to participate go through an evaluation and accreditation process with up to four levels. These levels are; member, bronze, beach and gold.
The municipality itself will implement the policy of keeping the swimming area smoke-free. Furthermore, it will provide adequate signage and information to users. Information on the benefits of avoiding tobacco smoke and on effective methods of quitting will be provided through the health facilities. In addition, with the entry into force of Law 7/2022 of 8 April on waste and polluted soils for a circular economy, municipalities can restrict smoking on beaches through their own municipal regulations.
These beaches are smoke-free:
Almería: Adra (San Nicolás), Cuevas de Almanzora (Pozo del Esparto, Quitapellejos-Palomares), Vera (Cala Marqués, El Playazo, Las Marinas-Bolagas, Puerto Rey)
Cádiz: Algeciras (Getares, La Concha), Arcos de la Frontera (Santiscal inner beach), Barbate (Carlos de Meca, El Carmen, Zhara de los Atunes, Zahora), Conil de la Frontera (El Chorrillo, La Fontanilla), La Línea de la Concepción (Levante), El Puerto de Santa María (La Puntilla), Puerto Real (La Cachucha, La Ministra and El Conchal), Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Bonanza, Bajo Guía, Calzada-Piletas, La Jara), Tarifa (Atlanterra, Bolonia, Chica, Lances Sur and Norte, Valdevaqueros), Vejer (El Palmar), Zahara de la Sierra (inland beach Arroyo Molinos).
Cordoba: Almodóvar del Río (inland beach of Las Breñas II).
Granada: Motril (Playa Granada, Villastrida area).
Huelva: Ayamonte (Isla Canela), Isla Cristina, Lepe (La Antilla), Punta Umbría (Albergue).
Málaga: Algarrobo, Estepona (La Rada), Mijas (Calahonda, El Bombo, La Cala), Torrox (Cenicero, Ferrara, Morche), Vélez-Málaga (Almayate, Benajarafe, Caleta, Lagos, Mezquitilla, Torre del Mar, Valle Nizas).
List of non-smoking municipal bathing sites
Almería: Benahadux, Cuevas de Almanzora, Purchena, Viator.
Cádiz: Alcalá del Valle, Arcos de la Frontera, Benalup-Casas Viejas, Bornos, Grazalema, Trebujena, Villaluenga del Rosario, Zahara de la Sierra.
Cordoba: Cabra, Cañete de las Torres, Guadalcázar, Montemayor, Posadas, Villaharta.
Granada: Benamaurel, Cúllar, Motril, Padul, Puebla de Don Fadrique.
Huelva: Alosno, Aracena, Bonares, El Campillo, El Cerro de Andévalo, Jabugo, Nerva, Paymogo, San Juan del Puerto, Tharsis.
Jaén: Albanchez de Mágina, Arjonilla, Bailén, Cambil, Fuerte del Rey, La Guardia de Jaén, Jódar, Mancha Real, Orcera (natural pool Amurjo), Puente de Génave, La Puerta de Segura, Quesada, Santo Tomé, Villacarrillo.
Málaga: Álora, Antequera, Archidona, Arriate, Benahavis, Benahojan, Campillos, Cortes de la Frontera.
Sevilla: Bollullos de la Mitación, Bormujos, La Campana, Coria del Río, El Coronil, Fuentes de Andalucía, Lebrija, El Madroño, El Palmar de Troya, Pilas, La Puebla de Cazalla, Villamanrique de la Condesa.
Also read: Smoke-free beaches in Spain
