Smoking Banned At Golden Bay And Ramla L-Ħamra From 2026
From 1st January 2026, smoking will be banned at two of Malta’s most popular beaches as part of a decisive move to improve public health and reduce tobacco-related litter along the coast.
The ban will apply to Golden Bay (il-Bajja tal-Mixquqa) in Malta and Ramla l-Ħamra in Gozo, under the newly published Smoking Control on Beaches Regulations, 2025.
Kevin Mercieca, CEO of the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), explained that the measure is part of a pilot project aimed at creating cleaner air, safer public spaces, and a healthier coastal environment.
Smokers will still be able to enjoy designated smoking areas, ensuring the rights of all visitors are respected. Maps of the beaches will clearly mark the no-smoking zones and the designated smoking areas, which will be equipped with litter bins and regularly maintained.
The initiative builds on Malta’s nationwide tobacco restrictions, which for the past 20 years have prohibited smoking on public transport, in indoor public places and workplaces, schoolyards, playgrounds, and public gardens with play equipment.
Prof. Charmaine Gauci of the Superintendence of Public Health highlighted the health benefits of the ban, stating that it will reduce exposure to harmful second-hand smoke, which can cause respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other serious health conditions. She described the measure as a significant step in promoting healthier lifestyles and preventing tobacco-related illnesses, contributing to a healthier future for all.
The smoking ban is the result of collaboration among the Environment and Resources Authority, the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing, the Malta Tourism Authority, the Local Enforcement System Agency, and the Executive Police, all of whom will cooperate to enforce the regulations. Anyone caught violating the ban will face a fine of €150.
Beyond health, the ban is also intended to protect the coastal environment. Cigarette butts, lighters, and other tobacco litter are among the most common forms of pollution on beaches, often containing single-use plastics that persist in the environment for years and release harmful chemicals and microplastics into the sea.
Mr Mercieca noted that this initiative brings Malta in line with other countries, including France, the UK, Sweden, and Finland, which have introduced outdoor smoking restrictions in parks and on beaches to protect both people and the environment.
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Credit: VisitGozo and VisitMalta
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