La Laguna, in Tenerife, has approved new rules banning smoking, camping, overnight stays and disruptive music at its municipal beaches and natural swimming pools, with penalties reaching €3,000 for the most serious offences.
The announcement of the ordinance’s final approval was published in the provincial official gazette on 7 October 2026. The council says the measures aim to protect the coastline, improve safety and help residents and visitors share its bathing areas.
The restrictions cover La Laguna’s municipal coastline, including Bajamar’s beach and natural pools, Jover in Tejina, La Barranquera in Valle de Guerra, and El Arenisco in Punta del Hidalgo. They apply within the municipality, rather than across Tenerife as a whole.
Smoking, camping and disruptive music targeted
Under the ordinance, municipal beaches and natural pools are designated as smoke-free spaces. Camping and overnight stays are prohibited, alongside leaving rubbish or other waste behind.
The rules also prohibit using soap, shampoo and other hygiene products in public showers and bathing areas. Sound equipment that disturbs the tranquillity of these spaces is restricted, with exceptions for emergencies and officially authorised events.
Mayor Luis Yeray Gutiérrez said the aim was to balance enjoyment of the bathing areas with protection of the marine environment and harmonious use of public spaces.
Accessibility is another priority. The council has committed to removing physical barriers and providing amphibious chairs and adapted toilets, particularly during periods of high demand. These measures accompany improvements to lifeguarding and rescue services.
**San Cristóbal de La Laguna aprueba la nueva ordenanza para proteger playas y piscinas públicas** La normativa refuerza la seguridad, accesibilidad, conservación y convivencia en el litoral lagunero, además de declarar las playas y piscinas municipales zonas libres de humo. https://t.co/MALc7K3ymd
— La Laguna Televisión (@lalaguna_tv) October 7, 2026
The €3,000 maximum does not apply automatically to every breach. The published ordinance text sets fines of up to €300 for minor offences, between €300 and €1,000 for serious offences, and between €1,000 and €3,000 for very serious offences.
It also allows a first smoking or vaping offence to be addressed with a warning if the person immediately stops. The text stipulates that the ordinance takes effect 15 working days after its full publication in the provincial official gazette, distinguishing approval from immediate enforcement.
Spain’s wider push towards smoke-free public spaces
La Laguna’s measures come amid broader efforts to expand smoking restrictions in Spain. As Travel Tomorrow previously reported, national proposals would extend smoke-free areas to hospitality terraces, beaches, public swimming pools and other shared spaces, while bringing vaping restrictions into line with tobacco rules. These proposals are separate from the municipal ordinance.
Other destinations have explored similar measures. In October 2025, Travel Tomorrow reported on San Sebastián’s proposed beach rules, which combined a smoking ban with plans to allow dogs on beaches between 9:00 pm and midnight during summer.
That proposal cited research indicating that cigarette butts accounted for between 30% and 50% of rubbish collected from the region’s beaches, highlighting the environmental concerns behind efforts to create smoke-free coastlines.
