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France to ban smoking on beaches, parks and near schools

2025-05-29 20:29:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

France to ban smoking on beaches, parks and near schools

France will ban smoking in all open places that may be frequented by children, said Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin.

The ban will come into effect on July 1 and will include beaches, parks, public gardens, schools, bus stations and sports facilities.

"Tobacco must disappear where there are children," Vautrin said in an interview published by the daily Ouest-France.

Vautrin added that "the freedom to smoke should end where children's freedom to breathe clean air begins."

"Outdoor areas of cafes and bars known as terraces will be exempt from the ban," she said.

Vautrin explained that breaking the rules would result in a fine of 135 euros (£113; $153).

She said regular police would enforce the ban, but also added that she believed strongly in "self-regulation."

Although e-cigarettes are exempt, Vautrin said he was working to place limits on the amounts of nicotine they contain.

According to the French Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction, 23.1% of the French population smokes every day - the lowest percentage ever recorded and a drop of over five points since 2014.

France's National Anti-Smoking Committee says more than 75,000 smokers die each year from tobacco-related diseases - 13% of all deaths.

Smoking in establishments such as restaurants and nightclubs has been banned in France since 2008.

Widespread measures to ban smoking on beaches, parks and other public places were supposed to come into effect in 2024, but the decree that was supposed to be passed was never approved.

However, more than 1,500 municipalities have voluntarily banned smoking in public places and hundreds of beaches across France have been smoke-free for years.

A recent report by the French cancer association, La Ligue Contre le Cancer, shows that almost 80% of French people are in favor of banning smoking in public places such as forests, beaches, parks and terraces./ CNA





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