From now on, there will be fines for smoking on the beaches of San Sebastian

The ban on smoking has reached the front line of many beaches in the Basque Country, and the last to join have been the three beaches of San Sebastián: La Concha, Ondarreta and Zurriola, where smokers will have to pay fines of between EUR 100 and 750, so San Sebastián has joined the restrictions in force in other municipalities on the Basque coast.

The following is a complete map of regulations, bans and economic sanctions for this summer season.

In Donostia-San Sebastián, the ordinance prohibits smoking and using speakers without headphones on the three beaches, La Concha, Ondarreta and Zurriola. Fines are staggered: between EUR 100 and 200 if the conduct is corrected after the notice is received, and between EUR 500 and 750 if the rule is ignored in cases of repeated non-compliance.

Zarautz, on the other hand, prevents the playing of tobacco, vaults, speakers and shovels at high tide, with penalties of up to EUR 500 for minor infringements and EUR 1,500 to EUR 3 000 for serious infringements.

Lastly, the beaches of the North are governed by the law of France, which prohibits the use of traditional tobacco, but is permitted to be suppressed, except where the local regulations state otherwise. The beaches where smoking is strictly prohibited are the Great Beach of Hendaya and Socoburu; the Great Beach of Biarritz, the Old Port, and the Beach of Milady; and the Great Beach of San Juan de Luz.

The ban also applies to the beaches of Angelu, such as the Chamber of Love, and extends to all public beaches in Ziburu and Bidart. The failure to comply with the regulations in any of them in the French Arenal carries an immediate fine of up to 135 euros .

On the other hand, there are the beaches attached to the official network of the Basque Government, where bathers are invited not to light cigarettes for health and ecological reasons. This is a recommendation, which does not involve a direct fine for smoking on the beach; in any case, the authorities may impose a penalty for disobedience or for throwing butts on the ground, which violates the general rules of purity. 

The beaches of Plentzia, Lekeitio (Isuntza), Mundaka (Laidatxu and Ondartzape) and Ibarrangelu (Laida and ￮

Finally, smoking and the use of vapours are permitted on the rest of the beaches of the Basque coast which are not part of the network and which do not have their own municipal ordinance.