Smoking has been banned on all of Barcelona's beaches in a major health drive. A trial ban 'from sand to sea' had run last year and was well-received by beach users.
As well as the health risks of smoking, discarded butts cause litter and are a pollutant in the sea. People who flout the law, which comes into force today (July 1), face a fine of 30 euro (£25).
The city's beaches are five kilometres long and are used by almost four million people every bathing system, with families with children representing around nine per cent of users. The city council says: "Barcelona is promoting the availability of smoke-free leisure spaces to protect the environment, preserve positive community life and protect people's health by banning smoking on all Barcelona beaches, except in beach bars and promenades."
