Butts Off the Beach

This winter, I was on the coast of northern Spain. Besides the fantastic waves, I noticed the signs saying “Praias sen fume” – smoke-free beaches. And it seemed to work! Fewer cigarette butts on the sand, cleaner beaches. In Spain, smoke-free beaches are no longer unusual. But what about here in the Netherlands?

Small butts, big problem

Cigarette butts may seem tiny and harmless, but globally, they are the most common type of rubbish found on beaches. Fag ends, filters, butts - they are often discarded or stubbed out in the sand without a second thought, as if the beach were one large ashtray. Every year, an estimated 4.5 trillion cigarettes butts end up in the environment.

They’re made of plastic filters that don’t decompose and release toxic substances like nicotine, arsenic, and heavy metals—bad news for fish, birds, and everything in between. Of course, for us too: no one wants to lay their towel next to a sand-ashtray, or worse, pull a cigarette butt out of their child’s mouth.

Spain is leading the way

Spain is making significant progress towards creating smoke-free beaches. This is particularly evident in regions such as Galicia, Cantabria, and the Canary Islands. In Galicia alone, there are now over 70 smoke-free beaches spanning 45 municipalities. Clear signs, and occasionally flags, mark these areas. In some locations, enforcement includes fines – for instance, on the popular Playa de Las Canteras in Gran Canaria.

This approach – clear communication and clear rules – appears to be effective. Most visitors follow it, and the beaches are noticeably cleaner.

How about the butts on the Dutch beaches?

In the Netherlands, smoke-free beaches are not yet widespread, but progress is gradually being made. Some municipalities have taken the initiative to establish smoke-free zones, often in collaboration with Rookvrije Generatie and organisations like Surfrider.

So far, there are smoke-free zones on beaches in:

• Noordwijk

• Renesse (Schouwen-Duiveland)

• Goeree-Overflakkee (Brouwersdam)

• The Hague (Scheveningen)

These zones are usually marked with signs or beach flags. Enforcement? Very little. Currently, there are no fines. The main aim is to raise awareness and encourage people to smoke elsewhere.

In Scheveningen, for instance, a trial was conducted in 2023 with a smoke-free section of beach between Hart Beach and beach bar Fonk. Feedback was mostly positive, but enforcement proved challenging – primarily because the law does not provide much scope to prohibit smoking on beaches.

Laws fall behind

Unlike Spain, the Netherlands has no national law banning smoking on beaches. The Tobacco Act covers smoking in and around buildings and playgrounds, but beaches are not included. Municipalities can establish smoke-free zones through local regulations (APV), but that does not necessarily give them the legal authority to fine offenders.

Nonetheless, these initiatives are important. The more we visit beaches where smoking is no longer common, the quicker that idea will become widespread. Just as not smoking at work or in public places is now fully accepted – and valued.

More support than you’d think

A Hart van Nederland survey revealed that over half of Dutch people support smoke-free beaches. Even among smokers, one in four believes a ban is a good idea. So, there isn't a significant backlash – in fact, many are eager to help create a cleaner, healthier beach.

What is Surfrider Foundation doing?

Surfrider Foundation has been advocating for clean, safe, and smoke-free beaches for years. Under the motto “Butts Off the Beach”, we campaign against cigarette litter – from butt to plastic.

Although progress has been made, there is still much work to do. Cigarette butts remain among the most common waste items on beaches, and much of this begins with how they are disposed of. That is why we focus on smart, practical solutions and raising awareness.

🔹 Pocket ashtrays with a missionIn collaboration with beach bars and Ocean Friendly Restaurants (OFRs), we distribute convenient reusable pocket ashtrays, enabling smokers to take their cigarette butts home rather than leaving them in the sand. This is a simple yet impactful step towards a cleaner beach.

🔹 Awareness in the right placeWe pair these pocket ashtrays with clear messaging around beach cafés and restaurants to raise awareness about the impact of cigarette litter on the environment and marine life.

🔹 From local to nationalThe next step? Pocket ashtrays and campaign signs all along the Dutch coast. We aim to build a larger movement, with one ultimate goal: a beach where smoking is no longer considered normal – and where cigarette butts are a thing of the past.

With your help, supported by beach visitors, business owners, and policymakers, we can create a smoke-free coastline together. Clean sand, clean lungs, happy ocean.

In conclusion

A smoke-free beach doesn’t mean smokers aren’t welcome. It means we are opting for a healthy, clean environment – for surfers, kids, beachgoers, and marine life alike.

Feet in the sand, sun on your face, and no butts in sight. Sounds good, right?