This morning, the “Smoke-Free Beaches” flags were raised on Calpe's main beaches, symbolising the start of the new municipal by-law on the use and management of the coastline, which restricts smoking along the entire Calpe coast. The regulation, which came into force a few days ago, is in line with the Town Council's commitment to public health and environmental protection.
The measure restricts smoking on all beaches and coves within the municipal area, except for two designated areas on the busiest beaches: La Fossa, near Plaza Mediterrani, and Arenal-Bol, opposite Plaza Colón. Smoking is permitted in these areas, but the use of reusable ashtrays is compulsory. These will be distributed at tourist information points to prevent cigarette butts from ending up in the sand.
This initiative also aims to protect the environment from highly polluting waste such as cigarette butts. It should be remembered that 15% of the waste collected on beaches is cigarette butts, which not only pollute the environment but also pose a risk to marine wildlife.
The raising of the flags will serve to remind both residents and the thousands of people who visit us of the entry into force of the new regulations and reinforce the message of a Town Council committed to healthier and litter-free beaches.
The Calpe Town Council began this process last year when it joined the Smoke-Free Beaches Network of the Valencian Regional Government's Department of Health, creating smoke-free areas on the beaches of Arenal-Bol, La Fossa and Cantal Roig. Now, with the entry into force of the by-law, another step has been taken towards a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable coastline.
The Councillor for the Environment at Calpe Town Council, Pere Moll, pointed out that ‘cigarette butts are one of the main sources of pollution in our marine and coastal ecosystems, as a single cigarette butt pollutes 500 litres of sea water, so this measure will help to reduce their negative impact’.
For her part, the Councillor for Health Prevention, Itziar Doval, stressed that ‘this action not only seeks to reduce the environmental impact of cigarette butts, but also to protect the health of beach users. We want to have healthy environments where everyone can enjoy the surroundings without putting their health at risk’