UK tourists warned as Canary Islands issue ‘first ever’ smoking ban

British tourists heading to the Canary Island of Tenerife have been warned after the island’s council brought in a ‘first’ smoking ban. The strict rule was brought in amid soaring temperatures and the ‘risk’ of wildfires in Tenerife.

The announcement was made on X by the president of the Cabildo Insular de Tenerife (Island Council of Tenerife), Rosa Davila Mamely. She asked for “maximum collaboration” while the “alert situation” was active.

The smoking ban refers to “natural spaces” such as “trails, viewpoints, forest trails, recreational areas and camping areas”, she said. It comes after devastating wildfires on the Canary Island last year that forced 8,500 people to evacuate.

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Rosa Davila said on X: “From the Cabildo of Tenerife we ​​activated for the first time the ban on smoking in natural spaces. A decision motivated by the alert situation due to high temperatures and the risk of forest fires.

The ban includes trails, viewpoints, forest trails, recreational areas and camping areas. I ask for maximum collaboration from all residents of Tenerife while the alert situation is active.”

In August last year, raging wildfires forced thousands of people to flee their homes in Tenerife. At least 8,500 people were reportedly evacuated.

The wildfire, which began on August 15, is believed to have been started deliberately and has been called the worst fire in the Canary Islands in 40 years.