Spain bans smoking on beaches for holidaymakers with risk of £1,700 penalty fine

dailystar.co.uk:

Barcelona face being slapped with a big fine if they break new rules introduced today. From Friday it is illegal to light up on any of the beaches in the historic Spanish cities.

Puffing on a cigarette will see you landed with a 30 euro (£25 fine) if you are caught. READ MORE: 'I avoided beaches because my body wasn't perfect – but now I proudly wear bikinis' The move follows a pilot programme last year, which massively reduced the rubbish caused by cigarettes including butts being left on the beach.The city's website explains: "This ban is based on environmental protection and the right of citizens to enjoy a clean public space, free of smoke & cigarette butts.”Although Barcelona is the first city in the country to ban smoking on beaches outright, individual spots across Spain have long forbidden the practice.Three beaches in Majorca - Santa Ponsa, La Romana (Paguera) and Carregador (Palmanova) - have a smoking ban already.Anyone caught smoking on those beaches can be charged up to £1,700.The rules have come into power after a law was passed in Spain last year which gave local municipalities the power to issue fines to puffers.

As tourists flock back to the country en-masse following the easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions, Spain has made moves to ensure behaviour among their guests is up to scratch.

In Barcelona, people can only wear bikinis on the beach, and holidaymakers caught wearing one in the town centre could face a fine of up to £260.Bikinis are also limited to the beaches in Majorca, with fines of up to £500 for those caught flouting the rules.Topless men in both areas could also find themselves reaching for their wallets.