Playa Chica and Cala de Enmedio have been declared "smoke-free zones", so smoking will not be allowed in these areas and will advance the global trend towards environmental and human health care, following the determination declared by the government group of the Tías City Council.
The objective is to avoid pollution from cigarette butts, also considered single-use plastic to be eliminated, and to refuse the generation of scattered garbage in the territory. The City Council plans to join the Smoke-Free Beaches Program of the Canary Islands (PSHC) "Awakening the taste for life" promoted by the Government of the Canary Islands together with the Canary Federation of Municipalities (Fecam).
The mayor, José Juan Cruz, the first deputy mayor, Nicolás Saavedra, the councilor for the Environment, Carmen Gloria Rodríguez, and the councilor for Beaches, Christopher Notario, went to Playa Chica and Cala de Enmedio this Monday to report on the declaration and help in the placement of posters.
Carmen Gloria Rodríguez pointed out that "these coves are directly declared Smoke-Free Beaches due to their small size", "but, in relation to the other beaches of the tourist town, we have opened a citizen consultation on the City Council's website to ask if we declare them 100% Smoke-Free Beaches or if we enable a small space in some sector of the beach for smokers."
The City Council has conducted an online survey for the possible declaration of smoke-free beaches Matagorda, Pocillos, el Barranquillo, La Peñita, Playa Grande and El Poril. The head of the Environment refers to the beaches of Matagorda, Pocillos, el Barranquillo, La Peñita, Playa Grande and El Poril in a survey which can be accessed through the following link: Citizen consultation, smoke-free beaches.
"We have a draft ordinance, which we are working on and which will be approved soon, to include the beaches and beach sectors with an express ban on smoking, as well as the corresponding sanctions. We prioritize the conservation of the natural environmental values of our coastline and the health and quality of life of citizens above all else," said Carmen Gloria Rodríguez.