France Moves To Ban Smoking In Public Spaces From July 1

Starting July 1, France will enforce a ban on smoking in outdoor public areas accessible to children, including beaches, parks, public gardens, bus stops, sports venues, and around schools. The move was announced by Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin, who emphasized the need to protect children from tobacco exposure.

“Smoking must disappear where there are children,” Vautrin told Ouest-France, adding that the right to smoke ends where children’s right to breathe clean air begins. Offenders could face fines of up to €135 ($154).

The new rules build on France’s growing restrictions on tobacco use in recent years. However, the ban will not extend to café terraces or apply to electronic cigarettes, which remain popular in the country.

Smoking is already banned in enclosed public areas like workplaces, airports, train stations, and playgrounds. More than 1,500 municipalities had already introduced local bans in outdoor spaces.

Although France has one of the highest smoking rates in Europe—about 35% of its population—recent polls show 62% of French citizens support smoking bans in public areas. The ban aligns with the government’s 2023–2027 National Anti-Tobacco Programme, which aims to create a tobacco-free generation by 2032.

While anti-smoking groups welcomed the move, they had previously criticized delays in implementation. Vautrin noted there are currently no plans to raise cigarette taxes, citing concerns over the black market.