Barcelona region beaches are set for a wider smoking ban in 2026, with 22 coastal municipalities adopting smoke-free rules, the Barcelona Provincial Council said in Gavà on 29 May. The plan is part of the 2026 beach campaign, which includes a €1.5 million investment and new signage for coastal towns.
The council says the measure is designed to support health, safety, information and public awareness on the coast. Its stated goal is to extend the smoking ban across the whole Barcelona coastline by 2027.
Josep-Ramon Mut, the Provincial Council's deputy for commerce, consumer affairs and public health, said the investment is meant to keep beaches healthy and free of cigarette butts and waste. He also said beach use is intense and that sand loss makes upkeep more important. Three years ago, only Barcelona city, Calella and Masnou had beach smoking bans in place.
Gavà mayor Gemma Badia said the ban fits her municipality's coastal model. She said the town protects dunes and native vegetation, and looks after the quality of natural and public spaces. Badia added that beaches are metropolitan leisure areas with many visitors, so they should support healthy and respectful coexistence.
Àngels Sánchez, manager of the Association Against Cancer in Barcelona, said non-smoking in public spaces should become normal. She said 24% of the population still smokes and stressed the role of public administrations in reaching a point where no 18-year-olds have access to tobacco or related devices by 2030. Smoke-free beaches, she said, are an important step in that direction.
Twenty-two municipalities have either approved or will approve ordinances banning smoking on their beaches by the end of the year. They are Arenys de Mar, Cabrera de Mar, Caldes d’Estrac, Calella, Canet de Mar, Cubelles, Gavà, Malgrat de Mar, Masnou, Mataró, Montgat, Pineda de Mar, El Prat de Llobregat, Premià de Mar, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Sant Andreu de Llavaneres, Sant Pol de Mar, Sitges, Viladecans, Vilanova i la Geltrú and Vilassar de Mar. Barcelona city banned smoking on its beaches in 2022, and Santa Susanna and Sant Vicenç de Montalt are also working to join the initiative.
Together, the 22 municipalities cover 93 beaches and 48.6 kilometres of coastline. That means 87% of the beaches and 79% of the coastline will be smoke-free. The rules are set locally, so penalties for breaches depend on each municipal ordinance. The Provincial Council wants all 26 coastal municipalities in the Barcelona region to have beach smoking bans by 2027, and a technical working group with representatives from 19 coastal councils has been active since 2024. More local coverage is available on the news tag page.