For many English expatriates living abroad, national celebrations can take on a different meaning. St George’s Day, England’s national day, often passes with relatively little fanfare compared to other countries’ patriotic events. A recent Euro Weekly News poll asked if St George’s Day inspired a sense of patriotism. While some see it as an opportunity to reconnect with their roots, others question whether a single day should carry the weight of national identity.

Some respondents expressed a strong and enduring connection to their English identity, regardless of where they now live. Alison Clarke Allen reflected this sentiment clearly: “Yes, I do! I may not live in Shepperton Surrey anymore, but it is still my home town. I moved abroad, I didn’t stop being English/British!” Similarly, David Egner shared a straightforward affirmation: “As an English immigrant, yes I do.” These perspectives suggest that distance can sometimes strengthen rather than weaken a sense of national belonging.

Others, however, take a more critical view. Marian Morgan Visockis questioned the premise altogether: “No. Should there be one day a year when you “feel patriotic”?” Caz Burnett echoed this scepticism from a broader perspective: “I’m an immigrant and I consider myself European. Never understood the “pride” of just happening to be born in a country”. Stephen Chatt Milne also emphasised the importance of adapting to life abroad: “No. I left UK over 40 years ago, still love having a British passport but have always classed whatever Country I was living in as my home. Cheers and on with the show”.

A few responses focused less on personal identity and more on how the day is marked. Stephen Cowdell commented: “St George’s day is St George’s day, I don’t need it to feel patriotic or proud of my country, it would just be nice to celebrate it better than we do, unfortunately lots of people (not POC, but other whites) appear to not like their own flag and feel that it’s somehow racist.” Mike Smith added a lighter observation: “To be fair the English seem more intent on celebrating St Patricks day than they do St Georges Day. May be that has something to do with being intent on quaffing large amounts of Guinness.”

While some expats feel a clear sense of patriotism linked to St George’s Day, many do not see it as particularly significant.

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.