New law to stop smoking on beaches takes effect today

The new Cleaning and Waste Ordinance comes into effect today in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which replaces the one that dates from the 80s. The updating of many points are the main reason for the introduction of the new ordinance, which includes the prohibition of smoking on beaches, and spitting or urinating in the street with hefty fines for doing so.

The new rules do allow the council establish allocated smoking areas off the beach and rocky areas, but at the moment these points have not yet been created, so smoking is prohibited on all beaches as of today.

Article 43 is the one that regulates this point, in which it is detailed that "it is prohibited for users of the beaches and bathing areas of the municipality to deposit any type of waste directly on the sand or rocks, having to use the bins installed for this purpose according to the fraction of waste generated or transport it to a container or alternative deposit system installed in the public space”.

In its second point it is detailed that "in order to avoid the presence of cigarette butts in the sand, and the potential subsequent contamination of the coast, smoking is prohibited on the beaches and bathing areas of the municipality, except in areas specially authorized by the City Council ”.

And in a third point it is pointed out that "the owners of beach bars, kiosks, restaurants and the like, near the beaches or located inside them, must avoid the production of scattered litter, by having the necessary containers or elements for it and being responsible for its collection and cleaning during their hours of activity and at the end of it. Likewise, the use of single-use plastics is prohibited in the exercise of these activities.”

The ordinance has not only been updated including new prohibitions, but it has also tightens the sanctions for issues that were already prohibited, such as urinating in the street, something that can now be penalized with up to 750 euros, as it is considered a minor offence.

However, throwing paper, seed shells, spitting in the street, or throwing water from windows or balconies is also considered a minor infraction, and also carry fines up to 750 euros.

One fine that has been increased is leaving rubbish in the street or next to bins without putting it into them, which now carries a penalty of at least 2,000 euros.

Feeding stray animals on public roads is still prohibited, as is throwing any type of leaflet, pamphlet or similar advertising material onto public roads, or depositing dead animals in bins.