Puffing Away Less on Schleswig-Holstein's Shorelines: More Beachfront Smoke-Free Zones on the Horizon
Increased implementation of smoke-free zones at northern beaches - Expanding expanse of smoke-free areas on northern coastlines
Chillin' by the sea and lightin' up a cigarette might soon be a thing of the past in Schleswig-Holstein. More communes are considering creating smoke-free zones on their beaches, reckons Stefan Borgmann, head tourism dude of Eckernförde and chair of the marketing committee in the Dachverband Ostsee-Holstein-Tourismus.
"People are starting to see this topic's importance," Borgmann shared with dpa. Eckernförde already banned smoking on their main beach back in 2022, and the difference was noticeable. Before the ban, a staggering 4,000 cigarette butts were collected on a particular beach stretch during the annual cleanup, whereas, after the ban, just 1,000 remained.
"That shows a ban works wonders," Borgmann continued. "We view this as a huge achievement!" Fehmarn and Heiligenhafen are also pondering smoke-free zones, as are other Ostholstein locales, according to Borgmann. Scharbeutz has a non-smoking section, and Grömitz is gearing up to become a beachfront sanctuary from smoke.
Föhr's Fiery Exception
Föhr has already instituted designated non-smoking areas. Wyk on Föhr has prohibited smoking on the beach since 2020, except in specified smoking areas in select beach sections. Ann-Kathrin Meyerhof, spokesperson for Föhr, shared that this means there's significantly more breathing room for non-smokers. There's been no grumbling from guests, either smokers or non-smokers, she said. In Wyk on Föhr, the beach chair attendants distribute free ashtrays for the designated smoking zones.
Lübeck Leans on Mutual Respect
Lübeck doesn't have plans to create smoke-free beach sections yet, says spokesperson Nicole Dorel. Ditching cig butts is considered littering and is penalized as an administrative violation. "The tourist industry hands out so-called beach ashtrays to give smokers a chance to tidily dispose of their nicotine residue," Dorel revealed.
Kiel Keeps It Casual
In Kiel, smoking on the beach is allowed, and there are no designated smoking sections, says Eske Marie Hansen, spokesperson. "Tossing cig butts in public areas, including the beach, is an administrative violation, and a 25-euro fine can be imposed," she elaborated. A dose of mutual respect and proper waste disposal is key to preserving the quality of stay on the beach for all visitors, says Hansen.
As an environmentalist gang, the Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND) supports measures that keep cig butts out of the environment. "Many people aren't aware of the destruction they're causing," shared state spokesperson Sina Clorius. Tiny creatures can get sick or die from contact with cigarette filters or discarded e-cigarettes. The BUND advocates for bans on smoking at beaches and playgrounds, and designated smoking areas near trash bins are in their sights.
"The decision on beach smoking bans is best left to local authorities," said Schleswig-Holstein's Environment Minister Tobias Goldschmidt (Greens). It's clear that cig butts don't belong in the beach, the water, or any natural habitat.
- The growing interest in environmental protection has led to the consideration of smoke-free zones in forestry, as more communes along Schleswig-Holstein's beaches contemplate similar measures.
- The positive impact of these smoke-free zones on the environment can be seen in the reduction of litter, such as cigarette butts, which are harmful to both small creatures and the overall health of forest ecosystems.
- As the importance of climate-change mitigation becomes more recognized, lifestyle changes towards sustainable living, including smoking cessation in forests and other natural habitats, are being advocated for by environmental science organizations like the Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND).
