Inspirational local ladies are lacing up their walking boots this May for the Women’s Warrior Walk, a monumental two-day challenge covering the distance from El Paraiso (between Marbella and Estepona) to Gibraltar. Starting on May 9, a group of over 30 determined women will embark on a 63km journey to raise essential funds for Cure DHDDS. This UK-registered charity (number 1202643) works tirelessly to fund life-changing research for a condition that currently has no known cure.

Understanding DHDDS: A battle for a brighter future

DHDDS gene mutations represent an ultra-rare neurological condition. Patients typically face a range of progressive symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease, such as tremors, balance issues, and seizures. Cognitive impairment and physical challenges can start from birth, making early medical intervention a top priority for families.

Local resident Zoe and her family launched the charity three years ago after two of her grandchildren received this diagnosis. Faced with a lack of available hospital treatments due to the extreme rarity of the disease, the family took matters into their own hands to drive and promote scientific progress.

Join the Warrior Walk from El Paraíso to Gibraltar

Participation and sponsorship from the Costa del Sol community remain vital for the success of this mission. Every Euro donated travels directly to scientific laboratories to power medical breakthroughs. Local businesses, including Organic Cold Pressed Juicery and Da Grappa Restaurante, have already stepped up to provide support.

Community members can get involved by sponsoring the walkers or providing practical assistance during the trek on 9 and 10 May. Business sponsors gain visibility through logo placement on official event T-shirts and across social media platforms.

Hope is on the horizon for children living with DHDDS. Interested parties should visit curedhdds.org or contact Zoe directly at +34 670 069 623 to donate or learn how to join the ranks of these local warriors.

The United Kingdom’s planned lifetime tobacco sales ban for people born on or after January 1 2009 could create a loophole for young British teens travelling to Spain and other countries, as they may still be able to purchase cigarettes and vaping products where standard age-based rules remain in place.

The policy restricts tobacco sales based on year of birth, meaning those affected would never be eligible to buy cigarettes from UK retailers. Outside the UK, however, access is determined by national age limits rather than generational rules, creating a clear contrast for those travelling abroad.

Different rules in Spain

In Spain, tobacco sales are regulated through a standard minimum-age system, with purchase generally permitted from 18 years old. Eligibility is based solely on age at the point of sale, rather than year of birth or membership of a specific generation.

Tobacco products are widely available through regulated retail outlets across the country, including supermarkets, kiosks and licensed shops. Sales are subject to identity checks where age is unclear, particularly in urban and tourist-heavy areas where enforcement is more visible.

Travel-related differences

Spain is one of the most frequently visited destinations for UK travellers, with millions of trips each year for tourism, work and study. This makes it a common setting where differences in national consumer rules become visible in practice. For those affected by the UK policy, experiences abroad would depend on local regulations.

In Spain, access to regulated products would be governed by local age verification at the point of purchase. This means availability is shaped by Spanish law rather than any UK restriction, and enforcement is handled entirely by Spanish authorities and retailers. In practice, this creates situations where legal access to tobacco products may differ depending on location, particularly in busy tourist areas where international visitors form a significant proportion of customers.

Could the policy lead to tobacco tourism

The difference between UK and overseas rules has raised the possibility of a form of “tobacco tourism”, where individuals affected by the ban access products while travelling rather than at home. Because the UK restriction is based on year of birth, those in the affected group would never be able to legally buy tobacco domestically, even as adults.

In countries such as Spain, where access is determined by a standard minimum age of 18, the same individuals could legally purchase tobacco once they meet local age requirements. This creates a situation where availability depends entirely on location.

In practice, any such behaviour is likely to be limited and linked to existing travel rather than people making dedicated trips solely to buy tobacco. However, the contrast may be more visible in popular holiday destinations and border regions, where differences in national rules are easier to navigate.

Gibraltar border factor

The issue may also be particularly relevant in Gibraltar, where residents can cross directly into Spain within minutes. If Gibraltar applies UK-aligned restrictions, individuals affected by the 2009 cohort rule could potentially be unable to purchase tobacco locally while still being able to do so across the border in Spain, subject to Spanish law.

That would not change domestic restrictions in either territory, but it could create a practical cross-border difference for residents living near the frontier. Vaping regulations may also differ depending on how each jurisdiction chooses to regulate nicotine products, as tobacco and vape policies are not always aligned across borders. This means access to different products could vary even within short travel distances.

Cross-border policy contrast

The UK and Spain operate different tobacco regulatory systems, with the UK moving towards a generational restriction based on date of birth, while Spain continues to use a standard minimum-age approach.

This creates a policy divergence between a cohort-based restriction and an age-based system. It also means that eligibility rules are structured differently depending on whether the focus is long-term population prevention or immediate age compliance at point of sale. As a result, the experience of future adults affected by the UK measure may differ depending on whether they remain in the UK or travel abroad, particularly within Europe where cross-border movement is relatively straightforward.

Broader implications

The contrast has prompted discussion about how national public health policies interact with international mobility. While domestic restrictions apply within a country’s borders, access to tobacco remains dependent on local law.

This raises questions about consistency in regulation when citizens move between jurisdictions with different frameworks for controlling the same products. Critics point to inconsistencies that arise when individuals face different legal conditions depending solely on geography.

At the same time, supporters argue that national governments retain the right to set domestic health policy independently, even if outcomes differ abroad.

Outlook

As implementation of the UK policy progresses, attention is likely to focus on how the affected generation experiences differences in access during travel.

In Spain, where tobacco remains widely available under conventional age rules, the contrast with UK restrictions is expected to be most visible among young British adults once they reach legal purchasing age abroad. Over time, the practical effect of these differences may become clearer as the first cohort impacted by the UK measure begins travelling internationally as adults.

For pet owners in Mallorca, finding a veterinary clinic that combines cutting-edge medical technology with genuine compassion is the ultimate priority. Since 2003, Clinica Veterinaria Bendinat has been providing exactly that, becoming a trusted pillar of the community for those who consider their pets true members of the family.

Founded by Nick Murgatroyd (BVSc MRCVS), a highly experienced vet with over a decade of practice in the UK before moving to the island, the clinic was born from a clear vision: to create a space where the highest level of veterinary skill meets an unparalleled standard of comfort and care.

Comprehensive services for every stage of life at Bendinat

The philosophy is simple: prevention is better than a cure. The team offers thorough health checks and up-to-date advice on local Mediterranean health challenges, such as Leishmania and Pine Processionary caterpillars.

The facility is equipped to handle everything from routine vaccinations to complex internal medicine and advanced surgery. With a purpose-designed operating theatre, digital X-rays, and state-of-the-art laboratory analysis – providing results in just 15 minutes – diagnoses are swift and accurate. For more specialized needs, the clinic offers diagnostic imaging (ultrasound) and works closely with top physiotherapy specialists for post-surgical recovery.

Global expertise, local feel

One of the clinic’s standout features is its multi-lingual team. Understanding that medical discussions can be stressful, the staff provides clear communication in several languages. Furthermore, Bendinat is a specialist in international pet travel; they have helped more pets relocate to different corners of the world almost than any other practice in Mallorca, ensuring all passports and microchips are perfectly in order.

A stress-free environment

The clinic is designed with the animal’s comfort in mind. The reception area is cleverly arranged so that cats in baskets don’t have to face waiting dogs, reducing anxiety for feline patients.

Whether it is a routine check-up or a 24-hour emergency, the dedicated team at Clinica Veterinaria Bendinat treats every patient with the same love and devotion they give their own pets.

Contact details:

Address: C/ Architect Francisco Casas 17, Bendinat.

Phone: 971 40 44 59 (Including 24hr emergency advice)

Web: www.vet-bendinat.com