France will implement a nationwide smoking ban in outdoor areas frequented by children starting July 1. The ban, announced by Health and Families Minister Catherine Vautrin, will apply to beaches, public parks, gardens, school zones, bus shelters and sports facilities.
“Where there are children, tobacco must disappear,” Vautrin stated in an interview with French newspaper Ouest France. “From July 1, these areas will be smoke-free throughout France. Smoking will be prohibited there to protect our children,” she said.
The initiative aims to reduce children’s exposure to secondhand smoke and discourage the normalisation of tobacco use in public. According to Vautrin, tobacco-related illnesses claim around 200 lives every day in France.
Are there any exceptions?
The new law will not apply to café terraces, allowing patrons to smoke in designated outdoor dining spaces. Electronic cigarettes and vaping devices are also excluded from the current restrictions, though Vautrin noted that separate legislation to regulate vaping is under consideration.
Fine on the violators
Violators of the new rule could face fines of up to €135 (over Rs 13,000). The government plans to support the rollout with visible signage and public awareness campaigns to ensure effective enforcement.
How widespread is smoking in France today?
Smoking rates in France are on a notable downward trend, according to a recent report by the French Observatory for Drugs and Addictive Trends. The data shows that daily smoking among adults aged 18 to 75 has dropped to just under 25%—the lowest level recorded since the agency began tracking the habit in the late 1990s.
The non-profit organisation, which monitors substance use and evaluates public policies, also highlighted a significant shift among younger populations. Daily smoking among 17-year-olds has plummeted by nearly 16 percentage points since 2011. However, the report raises new concerns, as vaping is gaining ground. Over half of 17-year-olds (56.9%) have experimented with e-cigarettes at least once.
France’s move follows a similar smoking restriction introduced in the UK last year, reinforcing a growing European commitment to protecting public health, especially among children.
(With inputs from agencies)