Costa del Sol
Life without smoke is better, Costa del Sol walks together for World No Tobacco Day
Communities along the coast will come together on May 28 and 29 for “La Vida Sin Humo Se Vive Mejor” (“Life Without Smoke Is Lived Better”), a coordinated programme of walks and health-promotion activities marking World No Tobacco Day. Encouraging smoke-free lifestyles, raising awareness of the risks linked to tobacco and vaping, and promoting physical activity.
World No Tobacco Day on May 31, is led by the World Health Organisation to highlight the dangers of tobacco use and the growing influence of new nicotine products. The 2026 campaign focuses on protecting young people and strengthening community-based prevention. This year’s event brings together town halls, health organisations and local associations in a joint effort to support healthier living.
Where you can take part
La Cala de Mijas – May 28
La Cala de Mijas opens the programme with registration and assembly at the Torreon from 10am, with the walk departing at 10.15am. Participants follow a route through streets and parks before reaching the La Cala Sports Centre at 12.30pm. Recreational activities and health information stands are available throughout the morning.
Benalmadena – May 29
Benalmadena’s walk begins at Plaza de la Mezquita at 9am, with the walk setting off at 9.30am. A physical activity session takes place at Parque de la Paloma before the group returns to the plaza at 11.45am.
Fuengirola (Los Boliches) – May 29
In Fuengirola, registration opens at 9.30am at Plaza de Pedro Cuevas on the Paseo Maritimo Rey de España. The walk heads toward the Virgen del Carmen monument along the Paseo Maritimo, reaching Plaza del Rosario at 11am. A musical activity and informative talk on tobacco and vaping follow at 11.30am, along with youth activities at the nearby basketball court.
Mijas – May 29
Mijas hosts one of the most extensive routes, with groups gathering at Plaza San Valentin from 9.30am and the walk departing at 10am. The route continues through Calle La Union, Avenida de Mijas, Calle Roble and Los Pinos Park, with activity stops along the way. Further sessions take place at Calle Rio Las Pasadas and Parque Andalucia before the route continues through several neighbourhood streets. A final group activity and prize presentation are scheduled between 1.30pm and 2pm. The event also forms part of the “1 Million Steps” physical activity initiative.
Marbella – May 29
Marbella’s programme starts at 10am in Parque de la Alameda with registration, information stands and health-promotion activities. A yoga workshop follows at 10.30am, and the walk itself departs at 11am along Avenida del Mar and the Paseo Maritimo to Plaza del Mar, with the return to the park completing by midday.
Estepona – May 29
Estepona’s walk begins at Plaza Antonia Guerrero at 9am, with the route departing at 9.30am along Calle Terraza, Avenida España, Mirador del Carmen, Rotonda de las Naciones and Calle Real, finishing at the Paseillo area at 11am, where physical activity and music therapy workshops will be held.
Shared guidance and participation
All events are free to join, with registration at the starting point on the day. Organisers recommend wearing a white T-shirt, bringing water and using sun protection. The walks are supported by the Junta de Andalucia, local town halls, the Asociacion Española Contra el Cancer, and various community health organisations
For more information visit the individual town hall websites.
Estepona Town Hall has expanded its environmental programme with the installation of even more new nesting boxes for bats and European scops owls in green areas across the town. The aim is to encourage biodiversity and at the same time help to control insects naturally.
The project was prompted by local naturalists from the Sierra Bermeja Naturalist Group, known as Grunsber, who requested artificial refuges for these beneficial species. The council responded by funding the initiative through a municipal grant, with Grunsber being the ones to lead the project on the ground. Local brigades have already placed six purpose-built boxes across Parque de Los Abuelos and Parque Seghers, with the expanded programme growing to around 150 nest boxes across different urban and peri-urban areas of the town.
Efforts focus on creating safe habitats for species that often struggle to find suitable nesting locations due to urban development and changing land use.
Natural solution for mosquito and pest problems
The mosquitoes and insects are the bane of most people’s lives during the warmer months and bats are valuable in reducing their populations. A single bat can consume thousands of insects in one night, making the species an effective form of natural biological pest control. All bat species in Spain are protected under both national and European law, with several classified as vulnerable and one as endangered.
The European scops owls, the smallest nocturnal raptor in Spain, also do their bit by feeding on larger invertebrates including moths, crickets, grasshoppers and cockroaches. The species is listed as vulnerable in the 2021 Red Book of Spanish Birds. Both bats and European scops owls readily accept artificial shelters, making nest boxes a practical tool for encouraging their presence in urban areas.
Council representatives say the programme is an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical treatments and increases public awareness of local wildlife.
Education and conservation already under way
Educational activities are already taking place. Schoolchildren from CEIP Federico Garcia Lorca recently took part in an environmental education session focused on the installation of the nest boxes, during which students learned about the ecological importance of bats and birds of prey and observed how the boxes are put in place.
Estepona’s environmental teams are also busy with local reforestation, coastal protection, and sustainable city planning. By expanding these nesting areas, officials hope to safely grow the local populations of insect-eating bats and protected birds.
More information can be found on the Estepona town hall website
Entries are now available for the 2027 Torremolinos Half Marathon, with the town hall confirming that the race will return on Sunday, February 7. Impressively now in its 37th year of running, the popular sporting event will have 2,750 race places available for participants from Spain and abroad.
Runners can register through the official RockTheSport platform, where early-entry prices start at just 15 euros until Tuesday, June 30. Entry includes a commemorative race T-shirt and runner’s bag. Organisers plan to keep registration open until the end of January 2027, provided places remain available.
Starting at 9.30am, the race begins outside the Pablo Ruiz Picasso cultural centre in Torremolinos. The route is described by the course organisers as flat and fast, covering 21.1 kilometres through town streets and seafront areas.
Fast course attracts an international crowd
Growing international interest has helped the Torremolinos Half Marathon gain praise among winter running events in southern Spain. Following previous successful years the race is now known as one of the leading half marathons in Southern Spain because of its mild February conditions and accessible route profile.
Facilities for runners include timing chips, hydration stations, medical support, bag storage and finisher medals. Race weekend will also include a separate 5km event for participants looking for a shorter distance but still want to take part.
Experienced athletes often target the course for personal best times, while first-time half marathon runners continue to choose Torremolinos because of its manageable terrain and incredible setting.
Success and support from the sidelines
This year’s event was such a huge success with thousands taking part over both races meaning the 2027 event is predicted to have high demand.
If you aren’t one for the race but prefer to spectate, then pop the date in the diary for next year, when the streets will be filled with people appreciating your support to get them over the finish line.
For more information visit the Torremolinos town hall website and sign up early to avoid missing out.
Life without smoke is better, Costa del Sol walks together for World No Tobacco Day
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