The mayor of Torremolinos, Margarita del Cid, has signed a decree banning the use of pyrotechnic items at all public celebrations in the municipality. Fines for establishments can reach €3,000 and for individuals, up to €1,500.
Torremolinos takes a firm step in protecting the most vulnerable groups. The mayor, Margarita del Cid, has issued a municipal decree prohibiting the use of any pyrotechnic items during festivals, fairs, pilgrimages, processions, sports and cultural events, as well as during celebrations such as Christmas, Carnival, Holy Week, San Juan, or the Feast of Our Lady of Carmen. The measure, which will take effect immediately, aims to ensure public safety, prevent fires, and avoid disturbances to people with autism spectrum disorder, babies, the elderly, and animals.
A pioneering measure on the Costa del Sol
The decree, which falls under the Municipal Ordinance No. 46 for the Protection and Defence of Citizen Coexistence, establishes that the ban applies to all public gatherings taking place within the municipal area. However, exceptions are made for those pyrotechnic displays that are expressly authorised in accordance with current regulations, such as professional fireworks organised by the Town Hall.
The decision responds to repeated complaints from residents and associations reporting the impact of firecracker noise on people with autism spectrum disorder, as well as on babies, the elderly, and pets. "It is a matter of coexistence and respect for those who suffer from these explosions," municipal sources explained. Torremolinos thus joins other municipalities in the province that have already adopted similar restrictions, although the town goes a step further by extending the ban to all public celebrations throughout the year.
Fines of up to €3,000 for establishments
Non-compliance with the decree will result in financial penalties. For establishments that sell or use pyrotechnics, fines range from €100 to €3,000, in addition to the precautionary seizure of the prohibited items. In the case of individuals, the municipal ordinance sets fines of up to €1,500. The Local Police will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the regulation, in coordination with other security forces.
"This is not about ruining the party, but about making it inclusive for everyone," officials stated. The measure has been well received by autism advocacy groups and animal protection organisations, which have been calling for stricter regulations for years. On social media, many residents have applauded the initiative, although some pyrotechnic retailers have expressed concern about the economic impact.
A summer without firecrackers on the beach
The ban comes just before the San Juan and Feast of Our Lady of Carmen celebrations, two of the most crowded events in the municipality, where firecrackers and rockets were traditionally launched on the beach. From now on, those wishing to celebrate these nights will have to do so without pyrotechnics, under the threat of a fine. The Town Hall plans to reinforce police presence on those days to ensure compliance with the regulation.
The mayor, Margarita del Cid, has called for civic responsibility: "We want safe celebrations for everyone, where no one feels excluded. Firecrackers can be fun for some, but for others, they are a real torment." The measure will also apply to sports and cultural events, such as popular races or street parties, which until now usually included some form of pyrotechnic element.
Torremolinos thus becomes one of the first municipalities on the Costa del Sol to adopt such a broad ban, covering the entire festive calendar. The decision, which is part of a growing trend in Spain towards limiting pyrotechnics, could serve as an example for other neighbouring towns. For now, the residents of Torremolinos already know that this summer, the noise of firecrackers will give way to the sound of waves and music.
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