The start of the 2026 summer season has put compliance with environmental regulations in the main cities under the magnifying glass. beaches of the country, where authorities have intensified patrols. The “Chao Butts” Law establishes a strict smoking ban in a strip of 80 meters from the highest tide line, seeking to preserve the purity of our natural environment.
The mistake that many tourists make on Chilean beaches
The fines for violating this regulation can reach 4 UTM, which represents a hard blow to the pockets of those who do not respect the cleanliness of the areas. beaches during your break. The objective of these sanctions is not merely revenue collection, but preventive, given the alarming fact that a single cigarette butt is capable of contaminating a thousand liters of seawater.
In addition to the restriction of tobacco, the regulations Chilean contemplates other key prohibitions to guarantee the coexistence and care of the beaches throughout the territory. Failure to comply with these rules usually results in direct summons to the Local Police Courts, where violators must face legal proceedings that can ruin their vacation:
- The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in public spaces and coastal areas.
- Throwing garbage outside the authorized containers carries additional environmental fines.
- The use of speakers at high volume is regulated so as not to affect the peace of the rest of the users.
- The entry of animals is restricted in certain protected spas or with high influx of public.
- The circulation of cars and motorcycles through the sand is strictly prohibited to avoid damage to the ecosystem.
The Ministry of the Environment emphasizes that cigarette filters release highly toxic substances such as arsenic and lead while they slowly degrade in the environment. beaches. These elements not only damage marine biodiversity, but end up entering the human food chain through fragmentation into almost imperceptible microplastics.
Surveillance will be especially rigorous in the communes with the greatest influx of visitors, where municipal inspectors and maritime personnel will ensure that order is maintained in the beaches busiest. Vacationers are recommended to inform themselves about the specific local ordinances of each resort to avoid misunderstandings and unnecessary fines that can exceed $250,000 pesos.
