The full City Council took the decision to ban smoking on the beaches of Barcelona. The measure was approved on July 22, 2022 and became effective this month. The restriction had the votes in favor of the municipal government, Junts and Cs, ERC and the abstention of the groups of PP, Valents and Marilén Barceló, non-attached councilor.
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For his part, Eloi Badia, Barcelona’s Councilor for Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition, defended the implementation of the measure. Even since last year, it was improved to reduce by 3% the presence of smokers on beaches where compliance was required.
Badia added that the measure was initiated with the implementation of awareness and communication campaigns in the middle of the summer season. The measure is taken in the midst of the beaches and the regions of Catalonia are at the maximum alert level due to the heat wave. Even at temperatures above 41°C.
No smoking on the beaches of Barcelona
The ERC declared itself in favor of the measure based on the World Health Organization’s indications that “smoking is the leading cause of preventable death”. In addition, cigarette butts are an abundant waste and represent more than 25% of marine litter.
Likewise, Francina Vila (Junts) was in favor of expanding the spaces where the aim is to protect the health of people in the Catalan capital.
However, the PP municipal group stated that the measure violates individual liberties.
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