Holidaymakers are being warned after a smoking ban was introduced on some of the most popular beaches on Spain's Balearic Islands.
A total of 28 beaches across Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca will now operate as "smoke-free zones" as part of a major plan to improve public health. Additionally, the introduction is hoped to tackle the problem of cigarette butts littering the sand and sea.
The new rules follow a similar scheme launched in areas including Barcelona last year, with tourist fined if caught lighting up in prohibited areas.
Holidaymakers will not face fines if caught on the Balearic beaches, with those behind the scheme hoping to appeal to the public's sense of responsibility, reports the The Mirror.
Beaches operating as "smoke-free zones" are now kitted out with four-metre banners to issue a warning to visitors, with a QR code included to allow people to access additional information on the new rules.
Amongst the areas under news rules are iconic beaches in Ibiza such as Playa de Santa Eulalia del Río and Playa de Talamanca, while in Menorca you can head to Binissafúller or Platja Gran.
In Majorca, the newly smoke-free beaches include Sant Joan, Sa Platgeta, Santa Ponsa, Cala Estància, Cala Sant Vicenç and Caló des Moro.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Consumption said: "The objective of the campaign is to create a network of healthy beaches, understanding the Balearic coast as a playful space for the enjoyment of outdoor activities that enriches the health of the people who come, promoting smoke-free spaces.
"Today, tobacco use is one of the leading causes of preventable disease and death worldwide. Exposure to smoke from tobacco products has been shown to cause health problems similar to those caused by tobacco use."
Across the globe a huge 4.5 trillion tobacco filters are littered every single year, with many ending up in our oceans resulting in potentially deadly consequences for marine wildlife.
"On beaches where smoking is allowed, unfortunately cigarette butts continue to rank as the most found waste product and the one with the most significant impact," Inés Sabanés, a Spanish lawmaker with the Más País–Equo coalition, told the Guardian.
The Más País–Equo coalition is the party behind the scheme allowing local councils to impose fines of up to €2,000 (£1,700) for breaches.
Cigarette buds are made of plastic fibres which break down and remain in the environment. The fibres then impact wildlife on land and in the world's waters.
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