Taking a Breath of Fresh Air: Expanding Smoke-Free Beaches in Northern Germany
Expanded smoke-free areas on northern beachfronts - Expanding Smoke-Free Areas on Northern Beaches
Wave goodbye to cigarette smoke as more beaches in Schleswig-Holstein are turning smoke-free! Local communities are hopping on the bandwagon to establish smoke-free zones on their beaches. Stefan Borgmann, the tourism director of Eckernförde and chair of the Dachverband Ostsee-Holstein-Tourismus's marketing committee, affirms this growing trend.
"Smokin' ain't what it used to be," Borgmann confesses to dpa. The city of Eckernförde took the initial step in 2022, banning smoking on the main beach. Before the ban, a staggering 4,000 cigarette butts were found during the annual beach clean-up; now, only 1,000 remain. Borgmann considers this "a clear sign that a ban makes a difference," heralding it as a significant victory.
Other nearby towns like Fehmarn and Heiligenhafen are considering joining the movement, with many other places in Ostholstein capturing Borgmann's attention. For instance, Scharbeutz has a non-smoking section, while Grömitz plans to become smoke-free.
The island of Föhr has already embraced the change, with a widespread prohibition on smoking on the beach, except for designated smoking areas. Ann-Kathrin Meyerhof, spokeswoman for Wyk on Föhr, states that this development implies "more space for non-smokers than for smokers on the Wyk beach." There have been no complaints from guests, Meyerhof assures.
Meanwhile, Lübeck, the tourism hotspot, does not currently plan to set up smoke-free beach sections. The disposal of cigarette butts is considered littering and is punishable as an administrative offense. However, the tourist industry distributes "beach ashtrays" to accommodate smokers, Lübeck's spokeswoman, Nicole Dorel, notes.
Kiel, the state capital, does not restrict smoking on its beaches, but disposing of cigarette butts in public spaces, including on beaches, is an administrative offense, earning smokers a 25 euro fine. The city relies on mutual consideration and responsible waste disposal to ensure a high-quality beach experience for all.
As an environmental organization, the German Environmental and Nature Conservation Association (BUND) supports measures reducing cigarette butts in the environment. Sina Clorius, BUND's state spokeswoman, stresses the harmful impact of cigarette butts on small organisms throughout the soil and the sea. Most litter collected during beach clean-ups consist of cigarette butts, she claims.
Beyond tobacco and filters, disposable e-cigarettes, containing toxic heavy metals in their batteries, are common types of litter discovered during clean-ups. BUND advocates for a ban on smoking on beaches, along with designated smoking areas around trash cans.
Schleswig-Holstein's Minister of the Environment, Tobias Goldschmidt (Greens), supports the decision on a beach smoking ban at the local level. Clorius echoes his stance, as cigarette butts have no place in nature, whether on beaches, water, or land.
- The rising trend of smoke-free zones on beaches in Schleswig-Holstein aligns with the Environmental Science's objective of preserving a healthy and wellness-focused environment, as well as mitigating the impact of Climate Change.
- Stefan Borgmann, a proponent of Sustainable Living, regards the reduced number of cigarette butts on Eckernförde's beach post-ban as a testament to the positive effects of such measures on the Environment.
- Encouraged by the success in Schleswig-Holstein, local communities are turning to Lifestyle choices that prioritize Forestry, recognizing its role in mitigating Climate Change and promoting Health-and-Wellness.
- As the demand for smoke-free beaches grows, the Home-and-Garden sector is expected to witness an increase in demand for durable, eco-friendly ashtrays and receptacles, as seen in Lübeck's distribution of "beach ashtrays."
