Smoking banned across Teide National Park to prevent wildfires

Tenerife’s Cabildo has agreed to ban smoking across the entire territory of Teide National Park as a fire prevention measure, following a spate of recent wildfires in protected areas on the island that were allegedly started by discarded cigarette butts.

Ban covers all open spaces

The island’s governing body stated in a communiqué that smoking will be prohibited in all open spaces within the National Park, including trails, tracks, viewpoints, recreational areas, car parks, parking zones, rest areas and public-use facilities. The only exception will be those enclosed buildings where smoking is expressly permitted.

The president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, reminded the public that three fires have occurred in Tenerife’s protected spaces in recent weeks, all allegedly caused by cigarette butts. The fires mainly affected formations of broom and rosalillo, two emblematic and endemic species found in the island’s highlands. “These episodes show that a simple act of carelessness can have serious consequences for unique ecosystems that are especially vulnerable to fire,” she added.

Fire prevention legislation

The resolution, signed by the councillor for Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez, also underlines that smoking is one of the main causes of forest fires recorded in the vicinity of the National Park, whether through the abandonment of cigarette butts, their disposal from vehicles or their improper handling.

The measure is adopted under state and regional legislation on forestry, conservation of protected natural areas and forest fire prevention, as well as under the principles of precaution and enhanced protection of natural heritage. It specifies that visitors, users, workers or anyone carrying out authorised activities within the National Park must respect the ban for the entire duration of their stay in the protected natural area.

Call for public cooperation

The Cabildo of Tenerife has called on all those who visit Teide National Park to cooperate and act responsibly, helping to conserve this unique site. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and part of Spain’s Network of National Parks, the aim is to guarantee its preservation for the future.

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Smoking banned across Teide National Park to prevent wildfires