The institution of a ban on smoking on the beach was inaugurated in Greece, in the Municipality of Serifos.

This is an initiative of the Athanasios K. Laskaridis Public Benefit Foundation and the Municipality of Serifos with a directive banning smoking on the beach of Vagia of  the island. The action took place in the framework of the environmental program SeaChange Greek Islands, which was designed and implemented by the Foundation, on ten islands of the Cyclades.

On the beach of Vagia, which is a protected area included in the Natura network, a construction was placed for a controlled smoking zone, ashtrays with environmental messages, as well as a corresponding information sign.

Local craftsmen undertook the creation of the smoking zone, as part of the program to strengthen the local economy.

Sikinos, Amorgos, Koufonisia, Heraklion, Donoussa, Schinoussa, Folegandros, Kimolos, Serifos and Anafi have been participating in this program in recent years, the actions of which include coastal cleaning.

The actions on the beaches of the islands show, on the one hand that cigarette butts are the most common waste and on the other hand that the situation of Serifos is particularly burdened by them.