De Boer also points out the role of non-smokers on the beach. “Now the smoker decides whether others will sit in the smoke. I want to turn that around. I want the non-smoker to decide whether he or she will sit in the smoke or not.” According to her, the environment also plays a role. “Cigarettes are often left in the sand, which is very polluting for the beach.”
De Boer believes that the current signs should be placed more visibly. “I really had to look for the signs. It would be nice if it ended up on the large signs of the province. Now hardly anyone sees it.” According to her, an official ban could ultimately provide more clarity to entrepreneurs and beach visitors. “Then you have something to fall back on and you avoid a lot of discussion.”
Beach entrepreneurs positive
Beach entrepreneur Roel de Haas, chairman of the Wijk aan Zee Beach Entrepreneurs Association, is happy with the measure. “We want to move towards a smoke-free generation, and this initiative will probably help people get used to that,” he says.
The terrace of his own beach bar is already partly smoke-free. “Not everyone is happy with it, sometimes people leave angry. But there are also plenty of visitors who really like it.”
With the move by Zandvoort and Wijk aan Zee, attention is growing for smoke-free beaches along the North Holland coast. The trial in Zandvoort in particular is being closely monitored by other municipalities. If this is a success, the municipalities of Bergen, Schagen and Bloemendaal will also consider introducing a smoke-free area.
Pilot with a beach coach
Schagen previously installed special waste stations to encourage visitors to dispose of their butts properly. In Bergen, the ambition is to run a pilot next year with a beach coach who will approach visitors about their smoking behavior.
There are currently no concrete plans for smoke-free beaches on the agenda in the municipalities of Velsen, Castricum, Den Helder and Texel.