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BRacó de l'Albir beach joins the Network of Smoke-Free Beaches of the Valencian Community

The entire Albir beach has joined the Valencian Community's Smoke-Free Beach Network, prohibiting smoking and vaping throughout the bathing area. This is intended to protect the public from the harmful and irritating effects of tobacco and to counteract the environmental pollution caused by cigarette waste in the sea.

The mayor of l'Alfàs del Pi, Vicente Arques, presented the demarcation and signage of the entire smoke-free zone at the l'Albir beach library. Arques recalled the suggestion made by the president of the Environmental and Consumer Education Association, José Palacios, last October at the 2nd International Blue Flag Congress held in l'Alfàs. "A smoke-free beach to protect children, but also smokers themselves and, most importantly, marine ecosystems. Well, we have taken note." We reaffirm our commitment to promoting policies that allow for more sustainable management."

The presentation ceremony was attended by the mayor of l'Alfàs del Pi, along with municipal technicians, the Councilor for Health, Marisa Cortés, "we are committed to smoke-free spaces"; the Councilor for Beaches, Luis Morant, "a decision made out of conviction"; and the Councilor for the International Area, Martina Mertens. Representing Public Health, the Director General of La Marina Baixa, José Vicente Pascual, "the goal is to prevent passive smoking," the coordinator of the l'Alfàs Health Center, Paco Martínez, and the nursing coordinator, Karen Kumbal.

For those who question a potentially unpopular measure, the Health Councilor left us with a beachside statistic: a single cigarette butt that ends up in the ocean contaminates 100 liters of water.

The entire area has been demarcated and marked, and the entire population will also be informed directly and through various initiatives through various outreach campaigns, both on the beach and throughout the entire municipality, as awareness of this is a matter of general interest. "We ask for public cooperation, to make the effort we consider necessary to defend and promote health in a tourist destination that is considered a healthy benchmark."

It should be noted that the City Council is finalizing the ordinance sanctioning non-compliance with the regulation, always trusting that its application will not be necessary, as it will be notified and posted in advance for general awareness.

Ultimately, this is another step toward sustainable management of beaches and tourist destinations. It's everyone's responsibility to protect our beaches, a source of environmental, economic, and social wealth, stated Councilor Luis Morant.