Public spaces in France now prohibit smoking
France introduces a smoking ban in public places effective from July, aiming to protect children from the harmful effects of tobacco consumption. The ban will prohibit smoking in outdoor areas such as parks, beaches, and spaces near schools, bus stops, and sports facilities.
Health Minister Catherine Vautrin stated, "Tobacco must disappear from places where children are present. The freedom to smoke ends where the right to clean air for children begins." The new law is part of France's ongoing efforts to combat tobacco use, which causes approximately 75,000 deaths annually, making up around 13% of the total annual deaths.
While smoking will still be permitted in the outdoor zones of catering establishments, the government plans to regulate e-cigarettes, reducing the allowable nicotine content and the variety of flavors available by mid-2026.
With 62% of French people supporting the ban, the measure has garnered public support. The new smoking restrictions in certain public places complement the existing nationwide restrictions on smoking in restaurants and clubs, enforced since 2008.
Exemptions to the ban may be considered for hotel terraces, according to officials. Violators may face fines of up to €135. The new legislation is aimed at safeguarding children's health, upholding France's commitment to its National Tobacco Control Programme.
- France's National Tobacco Control Programme, through the new legislation, extends its reach to include a community policy on reducing tobacco consumption, particularly focusing on protecting children's health.
- Recognizing the link between tobacco use and public health, France's health-and-wellness policy now includes a comprehensive approach addressing not just tobacco but also employment policy, as the government plans to regulate e-cigarettes.
- In line with France's ongoing commitment to science, mental-health, fitness-and-exercise, and nutrition, the government's tobacco control initiatives foster a healthier environment for children, employees, and the general public.
