COUGH-A BLANCA
Benidorm SMOKING BAN introduced on two of Brit hols hotspot’s most popular beaches in major health crackdown
It's not the only strict rule in place
A SMOKING ban has been imposed on two popular beaches in a Brit holiday hotspot.
Holidaymakers have been banned from taking puffs on parts of two popular Benidorm beaches.
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The local council has declared "accessible" areas at Levante and Poniente beaches – known as the ‘Playas Accesibles’ sections – have been turned into smoke-free zones.
Councillor for beaches Mónica Gómez justified the ban by explaining these accessible beach zones have services that allow people with disabilities to enjoy the sand and the sea "without barriers".
The major crackdown would come as a big blow to Madge, the chain-smoking, mobility scooter-riding star of the ITV show Benidorm.
The town hall signed an agreement with the Spanish AECC cancer charity to carry out the initiative.
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Gómez noted that smoking kills around 60,000 people a year in Spain.
She said: "It is therefore a responsibility of the authorities to watch out for the health and wellbeing of the people."
She added the new rule will "create an environment free of harmful cigarette smoke".
The councillor argued that it is dangerous not only for the smokers themselves but also those close to them.
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She said the town hall has put up signs to indicate the ban is "a health initiative to prevent cancer".
The town hall is "studying extending the scheme to other municipal spaces".
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The blanket ban on smoking isn't the only rule in force on Benidorm's beaches.
Tourists and locals aren't allowed to set foot on the beach between midnight and 7am, with swimming and sleeping on the beach frowned upon.
Anyone flouting the rules is warned they could be face hefty fines of between €750 and €1,200 (£640 to £1,025).
Other crackdowns include playing ball sports out of designated areas, with £100 fines on the cards.
There is no no tolerance for over-confident swimmers, with anyone taking on the tides while the red flags are up risking an £860 penalty.
Meanwhile, drinking alcohol on the sand could set travellers back a whopping £650.
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