Galicia has established the largest smoke-free beach network in Spain, housing one in four of the country’s tobacco-free coastal zones. The regional initiative now encompasses 85 municipalities and 249 protected spaces, extending complete bans to both combustible tobacco and electronic cigarettes.
Expanding the Smoke-Free and Vape-Free Coastal Network
The Galician Network of Smoke-Free Beaches (Rede Galega de Praias sen Fume) launched in 2016 with just 19 participating local councils. Today, the network covers 249 spaces, including maritime shorelines, ports, and 39 river beaches.
A total of 49 Galician municipalities have achieved “Gold category” status by declaring 100% of their local beaches entirely smoke-free and vape-free. Municipalities holding this status span all four provinces:
- A Coruña (18 municipalities): Including Bergondo, Boiro, Cabanas, Cedeira, Fene, Laxe, Muros, Noya, Oleiros, and Pontedeume.
- Pontevedra (13 municipalities): Including Baiona, Catoira, A Lama, Mondariz, Ponteareas, Redondela, Sanxenxo, and Tui.
- Lugo (10 municipalities): Including Barreiros, Begonte, Cervo, Chantada, Mondoñedo, and O Vicedo.
- Ourense (8 municipalities): Including Avión, Bande, Beariz, Castrelo de Miño, and Laza.
Targeting Electronic Cigarettes and Developing Legal Sanctions
The Galician framework extends beyond traditional tobacco. All designated areas prohibit electronic cigarettes and personal vaporizers. Regional health authorities implemented this rule to curb nicotine visibility and prevent the social normalization of vaping among children and adolescents.
To back up these prohibitions, the Galician regional government (Xunta) is collaborating with the Galician Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (Fegamp) to draft unified municipal regulations. This upcoming legal framework will standardize enforcement procedures and establish formal monetary penalties, moving the program from voluntary municipal declarations to legally enforceable local ordinances.
