TOURISTS could soon face a smoking ban on beaches across Spain.
No smoking zones are being considered on a number of coves and beaches across Majorca and Ibiza in a pilot scheme this summer.
The Balearic Government is asking all town councils across the islands to consider introducing a voluntary ban on lighting up on entire beaches or sections of them to safeguard the environment.
Health officials say holidaymakers would benefit from smoke-free zones and it would help with the massive problem of cigarette butts which currently litter the sand and get washed out into the sea, harming wildlife.
The Government is stressing that they won't be able to order sunbathers not to smoke and those who refuse won't face sanctions or fines because the ban would be on a voluntary basis.
But environmental health chiefs hope visitors to the Balearics will "delve into their own consciences" and support what local councils are trying to do.
Police would patrol the beaches, but without powers, and it is hoped that holidaymakers who see other people smoking might ask them to reconsider.
At the moment, there is only one beach in the archipelago where smoking is prohibited and that is Santa Eulària on the east coast of Ibiza where the order came into force in 2016.
However, there are other parts of mainland Spain which follow this no smoking code, including tourist zones in Galicia and Murcia.
General director of public health for the Balearic Government, Maria Ramos said: "What is involved is to gradually get people to empower themselves and make others respect spaces without tobacco.
"Having these smoke-free beaches or coves will be added value for tourists who visit us and for the residents of the municipality.
"This is a programme to invite the municipalities that want to do it voluntarily to convert their beaches, some of them or a part of their sandbanks, into spaces that prohibit smoking.
"We hope that this first year a town council will adhere and, little by little, others will be added."
A meeting is to be held shortly to explain the initiative and ask local councils to take part. The campaign would involve posters, leaflets and badges.
Calvia council, which covers Magaluf, has recently announced its intention to provide ashtrays to keep its beaches clear of butts.
Maria Ramos said they applauded this but this new initiative took the campaign one step further.
Last year, Thailand banned smoking on many of the beaches following a problem with waste and littering.
More than 24 beaches were included in the ban, including destinations in Phuket, Pattaya and Koh Samui.
Two beaches in Wales banned people from smoking on them, with Caswell Bay introducing the ban in 2016, followed by Langland Bay in 2018.
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