Beach, park, and school vicinities will implement a smoking ban as of July 1st.
France Imposes Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
France has announced a comprehensive ban on smoking in outdoor public spaces, focusing particularly on areas frequented by children. The prohibition will take effect from July 1st, 2025.
Health Minister Catherine Vautrin made the announcement in an interview with the regional daily, Ouest-France, on May 29th. This decision came on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, celebrated on Saturday. Vautrin emphasized the need to shield young people from tobacco exposure, stating, "Tobacco should disappear where there are children."
The ban applies to various outdoor spaces, including parks, gardens, beaches, playgrounds, sports facilities, bus shelters, and areas surrounding schools. Violators could potentially face Class 4 fines, amounting to €135.
In her interview, Vautrin also highlighted the importance of clean air for children's health, stating that the right to smoke ends "where the right of children to breathe clean air begins." The decree is being finalized in consultation with the Association of French Mayors, though its precise scope is still being determined in collaboration with the Council of State.
While smoking is still allowed on café terraces for now, the government is considering additional restrictions, especially regarding electronic cigarettes. Furthermore, plans are underway to impose limits on nicotine content and flavored vaping products by mid-2026, as part of France's National Anti-Tobacco Programme for 2023–2027, which aims for a "tobacco-free generation" by 2032.
This new law signifies a significant shift for France, a country with a historically robust connection between smoking and cultural identity. The restrictions reflect a broader public health priority and signal a notable change in attitudes towards tobacco use in public spaces.
- The policy-and-legislation decision to ban smoking in outdoor public spaces in France includes health-and-wellness areas such as parks, gardens, beaches, playgrounds, sports facilities, bus shelters, and areas surrounding schools.
- In the general-news of France, the health minister, Catherine Vautrin, has emphasized the importance of science, particularly in relation to tobacco and children's health, stating that the right to smoke ends "where the right of children to breathe clean air begins."
- As part of France's National Anti-Tobacco Programme for 2023–2027, politics is involving additional restrictions, especially regarding electronic cigarettes, and plans are underway to impose limits on nicotine content and flavored vaping products by mid-2026, aiming for a "tobacco-free generation" by 2032.
