From the beach of Vagia no one will smoke from this summer, except in the special controlled smoking zone that will be made by local craftsmen
The Athanasios K. Laskaridis Public Benefit Foundation and the Municipality of Serifos, on the occasion of the World No Smoking Day on May 31, announce that the beach of Vagia becomes, from this summer, the first smoke-free beach of the Cyclades and all of Greece . The action takes place in the framework of the environmental program SeaChange Greek Islands, which was designed and implemented by the Foundation in ten islands of the Cyclades.
The shoreline clean-ups that have taken place on the islands that have been part of the program for the last two years, have highlighted on the one hand the cigarette butts as the most common waste and on the other hand the particularly burdened situation of Serifos from them. Based on this fact and in collaboration with the Municipality of Serifos, under the auspices of which the program is carried out, the Athanasios K. Laskaridis Public Benefit Foundation starts the pilot action starting from Vagia. Following similar practices in France and Spain, this "behavioral experiment" aims to eliminate smoking off the coast, while preventing marine pollution.
On the beach of Vagia, which is a protected area included in the Natura network, a construction for a controlled smoking zone, ashtrays with environmental messages, as well as a corresponding information sign will be placed. Participating in the "smoke-free" energy, local craftsmen will undertake the creation of the smoking zone, as part of the program to strengthen the local economy and empower residents. The finalization of the technical specifications will take place during the meeting of the project team with the Mayor of Serifos Antonis Antonakis and with professionals of the island, on Monday 3 June.