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Plans to ban a Spanish holiday hotspot smoking To prevent “sand contamination” on its shores Cigarette butts
The Donostia City Council of San Sebastian intends to amend the municipal ordinance to prevent smoking and “Promote smoke-free places” in the municipality. beaches,
The council said: “The purpose of the ordinance is to establish a smoking ban on municipal beachesAllow dogs access to beaches year-round under specific conditions of use, ensure respectful coexistence by regulating aspects related to cleanliness, control and safety, and promote responsible ownership and citizen co-responsibility in the care of public spaces.
According to a study by the Spanish research foundation AZTI, cigarette butts make up between 30 and 50 percent of the garbage collected on the beaches of Gipuzkoa province.
AZTI says each cigarette can contaminate 500 to 1,000 liters of seawater.
The council aims to “move towards healthy, friendly, quiet beaches that respect the environment and animals” while controlling the current “exploitation” of sand.
“This regulatory update responds to a clear social demand and seeks to improve coexistence, environmental quality and collective well-being,” said Iñigo García, Councilor for Diversity, Inclusion and Environment.
The proposed measure is supported by Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated soils, which allows city councils to regulate tobacco use on beaches.
Beach access for dogs will also be regulated year-round, with loudspeaker use limited to guarantee “peace of mind” to all beachgoers.
The new proposal would allow dogs access to San Sebastian beaches between 9 pm and midnight during the summer.
San Sebastian citizens can submit opinion on proposal Till 7th November.
The city council has warned that failure to follow the new rules will result in sanctions.
Garcia said: “We want our beaches to remain a symbol of environmental quality and well-being for all people San SebastianAnd this will be possible only with collective participation.”
Read more: Tourists warned about new strict smoking laws coming into effect in Spain