The Socialist Municipal Group has requested to the PP (People’s Party) governing team that it begin the necessary procedures to incorporate all of Benidorm’s beaches into the Valencian Community’s Smoke-Free Beaches Network. The plan intends to develop healthy places for citizens, that is, to encourage environments that improve people’s health while also preserving the health of the area, following in the footsteps of neighbouring towns in the Marina Baixa region.
While communities such as Vila Joiosa, which has already declared its 13 beaches and coves smoke-free, l’Alfàs del Pi, and Finestrat are already active members of this regional network, Benidorm remains stuck in a policy of “insufficient gestures.” “It’s unacceptable that in a city like Benidorm, smoke-free areas are limited to very specific points on accessible beaches, while the rest of the coastline remains unprotected,” she said.
In this regard, Rubio emphasised that this action is not only about public health and preventing beachgoers from becoming passive smokers, but it is also an environmental initiative. “Cigarette butts are a very abundant type of waste on beaches and one of the most harmful; a single butt can contaminate up to 50 litres of water and takes a decade to decompose, releasing microplastics and toxic substances such as arsenic and lead into our marine ecosystem,” the councilwoman said.
The Socialist group emphasised that joining the Generalitat’s network would make it easier to place signage, run awareness campaigns, and monitor these places. “We recommend a transition to a healthy beach model in which clean air and environmental stewardship are the norm rather than the exception. “What is Toni Pérez waiting for if other municipalities in our area have already achieved this with excellent tourist and resident reception?” the councilwoman enquired.
Finally, Laura Rubio stated that they hope the mayor and his administration would rise to the challenge and seriously evaluate this plan so that it may be implemented as soon as feasible. “We hope the PP will set aside its usual arrogance and understand that protecting people’s health and the future of our beaches is a necessary investment to maintain Benidorm’s tourism excellence,” she said.
