Benidorm Campaigns Against Offensive Items

Benidorm Campaigns Against Offensive Items in Shop Windows 

Benidorm City Council launched a new inspection campaign to🚫stop shops from displaying offensive items in their windows. 

The campaign comes from the Department of Commerce and its Municipal Inspection Service. Inspectors focus on T-shirts and souvenirs with sexist, racist, homophobic, or sexually explicit content. These products often target tourists, yet they are visible to everyone, including children. As a result, the City Council wants them gone from public view.

👮 Why the Crackdown?

Councillor for Commerce Javier Jordá explained that some shops show “irregular practices.”

“These products appear in shop windows where anyone can see them — even young children,” Jordá said. “We cannot allow this situation to continue.”

⚖️ Laws That Ban Offensive Items in Public

The City Council also reminded shop owners that such displays may break several laws:

• General Advertising Law 34/1988 – bans ads that attack human dignity.

• Law 26/2018 on Children’s Rights – protects minors from harmful content.

• Municipal Ordinance No. 2 – prohibits products that offend public morals.

Therefore, businesses must remove these items right away. If they refuse, the City Council will open legal proceedings and apply sanctions.

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🤝 Retailers’ Role in Removing Offensive Products

The initiative follows meetings with the AICO retail association, where members raised concerns. Jordá stressed that cooperation is the goal.

“We hope businesses will act responsibly so we avoid fines or stricter measures,” he said.

🌴 Protecting Benidorm’s image

With this move, the City Council aims to protect families, children, and visitors. Moreover, it wants to keep Benidorm’s image as a safe, family-friendly tourist destination. The campaign also sends a strong message: the city values respect, dignity, and welcoming public spaces. 🌟

❓ FAQ: Offensive Items in Shop Windows

What counts as an offensive item in Benidorm shops?
Offensive items include T-shirts, souvenirs, or products with sexist, racist, homophobic, or sexually explicit messages. These are considered harmful when shown in shop windows that anyone — including children — can see.

Why are offensive items banned from shop windows?
They violate advertising rules, harm public dignity, and can expose children to inappropriate messages. Spanish laws and local ordinances protect both minors and community values.

What penalties can shops face if they continue selling offensive products publicly?
If shops ignore the removal order, the City Council can open legal proceedings, apply fines, and take further measures to stop the activity.

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Can shops still sell these products privately?
The current campaign focuses on public display in shop windows and storefronts. While the law is stricter on visible advertising, shops may still face action if the products themselves break wider regulations.

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💬 What’s your opinion? Should shops have full freedom to sell these items, or should the City Council step in to protect the community?