Anyone planning a trip to Mount Teide in the coming weeks should take note of a new and important rule: throughout the entire Teide National Park, a total and permanent outdoor smoking ban is now in force. The measure was introduced by the Cabildo of Tenerife and is intended to reduce the risk of forest fires in one of the island’s most vulnerable natural areas.
Fines for non-compliance
The decision is not merely symbolic. According to reports by Diario de Avisos, anyone who lights a cigarette in the park can face an administrative fine ranging from 100 to 1,000 euros. If a discarded cigarette butt actually causes a fire, the consequences become much more serious. In that case, the matter may be dealt with as a criminal offence, with prison sentences ranging from one to six years and possible civil liability of up to 100,000 euros for firefighting costs and the restoration of environmental damage.
The ban does not only apply to hiking trails. Smoking is also prohibited on forest tracks, at viewpoints, in recreational areas, rest areas, car parks and other public outdoor spaces. The rule applies to everyone: tourists, hikers, guides, employees, authorised companies and residents. Only in exceptional covered buildings where smoking is expressly permitted by internal regulations may an exception still exist.
Small negligence, major consequences
The reason for the measure is clear. Tenerife has recently experienced three fires in protected natural areas that are believed to have been caused by cigarette butts. Among the vegetation affected were retama and rosalillo, two characteristic plant species found in the high-altitude areas around Mount Teide. It is precisely this vegetation that makes the area special, but also vulnerable. During dry periods, a small act of negligence can be enough to cause serious damage.
For visitors over the age of fifty, who often know Mount Teide as a peaceful day trip with panoramic views, this is above all practical information. A brief smoking break at a viewpoint or car park can now have serious financial consequences. Those driving up with family or friends would do well to inform everyone in advance, especially if there are smokers in the car. Throwing a cigarette butt out of the window is not only irresponsible, but can now also result in serious legal proceedings.
Preventing fire risk
Teide National Park is much more than a tourist attraction. According to the Cabildo, the area is an exceptional volcanic landscape with unique ecosystems above the tree line. There are 139 known species of vascular plants, around one third of which are endemic to the Canary Islands. Vascular plants are plants with special tubes that transport water and nutrients throughout the plant. The proportion of invertebrate species found nowhere else is also remarkably high. Since 2007, the park has also been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The new rule fits into a broader trend on Tenerife: natural areas are being managed more strictly because visitor pressure, drought and fire risk are increasing. For most visitors, little will change, except that smoking along the way is no longer an option. Anyone who wants to continue experiencing Mount Teide as it is will therefore have to adjust a small habit. The message from the authorities is simple: enjoy the landscape, but leave no fire risk behind.
Photo: AI ChatGPT
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