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.

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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)

Tourists looking to light up on the beaches of the French Riviera this summer face being slapped with a fine after nationwide ban on smoking in most outdoor areas comes into force.

France is outlawing smoking on all beaches and other public outdoor spaces, and introducing a hefty penalty for those who do not comply with the new rules when they take effect within weeks.

“Tobacco must disappear where there are children,” French health minister Catherine Vautrin told French newspaper Ouest-France on Thursday.

“From July 1, beaches, public parks and gardens, school grounds, bus shelters, and sports facilities will be smoke-free throughout France.”

Those who don’t comply with the ban face a fine of €135 (£113.60), Ms Vautrin said, adding that the freedom to smoke “ends where children’s right to breathe clean air begins.”

Smoking will be banned on all French beaches from July 1 (AFP/Getty)

The ban does not include cafe or bar terraces, and will not apply to e-cigarettes, but Ms Vautrin said she was not ruling out making any changes in the future.

One in four French people aged over 15 (25.3 per cent) smoked on a daily basis as of 2021, according to the most recently available figures from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

The President of the Alliance Against Tobacco Loic Josseran welcomed the ban, telling Le Parisien he believed the new rules would help “gradually remove cigarettes from our environment”.

“We urgently need to change the image of tobacco, which costs French society €156 billion a year and is a health and environmental disaster,” he said.

Lung specialist Frederic Le Guillou told Le Parisien that the ban on smoking in public spaces was about encouraging people to stop smoking.

“The idea is not to make smokers feel guilty, because smoking is a real addiction, but the fact is that the more constraints we put on them, the more it encourages them to stop,” he said.

Some local authorities have already banned smoking on beaches (AFP/Getty)

The national ban follows bans already enacted by some local authorities around France.

Smoking was banned in Saint-Malo in Brittany in 2015, it was banned in 2018 in Ouistreham in Calvados, Le Figaro reports.

The mayor of Saint-Malo, Gilles Lurton, told the publication officials had never had to issue many fines.

“We advocate education above all,” he said.

On the Cote d’Azur in the south-east of France, about 10 towns have also already banned smoking on certain beaches, including Menton, Saint-Laurent-du-Var , Villefranche-sur-Mer, and Cannes.

Cannes Lord Mayor David Lisnard told Le Figaro: “We made this choice almost ten years ago for reasons of hygiene, the environment and also public health.”

France to ban common object in public places from July 1 with hefty fines

The new rule could catch people out if they’re not aware before heading to the country this summer

Tourists visiting France this summer will need to be aware of the new rules – or risk fines (Image: Getty )

People taking summer holidays in France must be aware of a new rule starting in July. Failure to follow the new law could result in a serious fine from the local police.

According to a BBC report, France will enforce a major smoking ban in public places from July 1, including beaches, parks, public gardens, outside schools, bus stops and at sports venues. The measure has been approved in order to help limit the damage that smoking has on young children.

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Smoking cigarettes is common in France. An estimated 16.4 million people aged 15 and older use tobacco products, according to Global Action to End Smoking.

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It comes as part of a mission by the country’s minister for children, health and family, Catherine Vautrin. In an interview published by Ouest-France daily, she said: “Tobacco must disappear where there are children”.

Anyone caught breaking the ban will be fined €135 (which works out to £113 or $153). Ms Vautrin said the police would enforce the ban, but added that the public would be given the chance to “self-regulate.”

French authorities plan to actively enforce the new rules, with signage and public awareness campaigns to support compliance. This is an extension of the smoking rules already in place across France, which has banned smoking in restaurants and nightclubs since 2008.

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France’s minister for children, health and family Catherine Vautrin (Image: Thierry NECTOUX/GAMMA RAPHO via Getty )

People in Britain might struggle to remember the rule, as the UK’s own smoking rules currently only apply indoors. Since July 2007, it has been illegal to smoke in enclosed public places and workplaces in the UK.

It was reported in 2024 by the BBC that the UK Government is considering similar action by extending legislation in England to outdoor areas like playgrounds and hospital grounds to “protect children and the most vulnerable from the harms of second-hand smoke”.

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People can still smoke in the outdoor areas of cafes and bar terraces. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or vapes) are not included in this ban, though France is working on tightening vaping regulations soon.

The ban will take effect from July 1, 2025 (Image: Dazeley via Getty )

Hotels usually set aside a few rooms for smokers. If you don’t specify, you will be placed in a non-smoking room, the French Rivera Traveller claimed.

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The BBC claimed that, according to the French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, almost a quarter (23.1%) of the French population smokes on a daily basis. France’s National Committee Against Smoking adds that more than 75,000 smokers die each year of tobacco-related illnesses – 13% of all deaths.

A recent report by the French cancer association La Ligue Contre le Cancer shows that almost 80% of French people are in favour of a ban on smoking in public places like woodlands, beaches, parks, and terraces.

France Imposes Smoking Ban: Details of New Law; Could India Be Next?

The French government has taken a big step. French Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin has announced that smoking will be banned in public places in the country. Read more on Dynamite News

France to Implement Smoking Ban (Image Source: Internet)

New Delhi: In view of the serious damage to health, the French government has taken a big step. French Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin has announced that smoking will be banned in public places in the country. This new law will come into effect in July 2025 and aims to protect future generations from the ill effects of tobacco.

The health minister said in an interview on Thursday that now smoking will be prohibited in crowded public places such as bus stops, parks, beaches, areas outside restaurants, and around schools. This decision has been taken keeping in mind the safety of children and youth, reports Dynamite News correspondent.

What is the new rule?

Catherine Vautrin clarified that wherever children are present, smoking cigarettes should be completely stopped. Violators of the rule will be fined 35 euros (about ₹ 3,200). However, he also said that cafe terraces and electronic cigarettes are currently exempted from this ban.

The health minister also says that this decision is not just an attempt to enforce the law but also to change the attitude towards tobacco in the society.

Worrying situation related to tobacco in France

Every day about 200 people die from tobacco in France. This figure reaches 75,000 deaths every year, which puts a serious burden on the country’s health system. According to the recently published report of the French Observatory for Drugs and Addictive Trends, about 25 percent of people aged 18 to 75 years in France smoke daily.

France’s initiative after Britain

This decision of France has been taken on the lines of Britain, where similar strict restrictions on smoking were recently implemented. Both countries believe that by controlling tobacco, lifestyle-related diseases can be reduced drastically in the coming years.

India’s situation is even more serious.

While 75,000 deaths occur every year from tobacco in France, this figure is even more terrible in India. According to the WHO report, Tobacco kills 1.35 million people in India each year. This is equivalent to 3,699 deaths every day and 154 deaths every hour.

Moreover, more than 5,500 children in the country and over 350 in the state start consuming tobacco and other smoking products daily. According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-II) 2017-18, 26.7 crore adults (28.6%) in India use tobacco, with 21.4% consuming smokeless tobacco and 10.7% smoking cigarettes and bidis.

The survey also reveals that over 5,500 children start using tobacco daily in the country.

KKN Gurugram Desk | Beginning July 1, 2025, the French government will officially ban smoking in many public outdoor spaces across the country. The move aims to protect children and non-smokers from the harmful effects of passive smoking. Violators could face a fine of up to €150 (approximately ₹13,000) for breaching the rule.

This is one of France’s most significant steps in its ongoing campaign to curb tobacco usage and promote public health — particularly among the younger population.

Where Is Smoking Banned Under the New Rule?

The new ban will prohibit smoking in various outdoor public areas, including but not limited to:

Beaches

Public parks

School entrances

Public transport stops

Playgrounds and sports facilities

This means smokers will no longer be allowed to light up in areas frequented by children and families.

Exemptions Under the Law

While the ban is comprehensive, certain areas are exempted, including:

Outdoor café terraces

Private balconies and rooftops

Designated smoking zones

Use of e-cigarettes and vapes, which are not included in the current prohibition

These exemptions are likely to be monitored closely, and adjustments may follow in future amendments to the law.

Why Is France Enforcing This Ban Now?

The government’s primary motivation is protecting children from secondhand smoke and reducing tobacco exposure in public environments. According to French Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin, the state has a responsibility to ensure clean air for minors.

“The freedom to smoke ends where the right of a child to breathe clean air begins,” Vautrin told Ouest-France, a regional daily.

She emphasized that the initiative is about creating smoke-free zones in places where children are most present and vulnerable.

The Bigger Picture: France’s Long Battle with Tobacco

France has been a global tobacco consumption hotspot for decades. However, the country has recently made steady progress:

According to the French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, 23.1% of the adult population in France smokes daily — the lowest percentage on record.

In 2014, the figure was significantly higher, suggesting a drop of over five percentage points in just a decade.

Despite the decline, smoking remains a major public health issue, with high visibility of tobacco use in urban life, cafés, and public gatherings.

Tobacco-Related Deaths in France: Alarming Numbers

The French National Committee Against Smoking reports that:

Over 75,000 deaths annually in France are linked to smoking-related illnesses.

That accounts for 13% of all annual deaths in the country.

Smoking continues to be a leading cause of preventable deaths, alongside alcohol abuse and obesity.

Previous Smoking Restrictions in France

France already has strict indoor smoking bans in place:

Since 2008, smoking has been prohibited in restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and enclosed public spaces.

In 2023, several local municipalities introduced “tobacco-free zones” at beaches and parks on a trial basis. The upcoming nationwide policy is seen as a natural extension of those efforts.

Public Response: Mixed Reactions from Citizens and Businesses

While public health experts and parents have largely welcomed the move, some sections of society have expressed concerns:

Supportive Voices:

Health advocates praise the ban as a necessary measure to protect vulnerable populations.

Parents’ groups have applauded the government for prioritizing children’s right to clean air.

“I’m relieved. We avoid taking our kids to parks because of smokers. This law gives us peace of mind,” said a mother of two in Marseille.

Criticism and Concerns:

Some smokers’ rights groups have criticized the government for what they call “legislative overreach.”

Hospitality business owners worry the policy may eventually affect cafés and open terraces, impacting customer footfall.

International Comparison: Where Does France Stand?

France is not alone in tightening its tobacco control measures:

New Zealand has been pioneering efforts to eliminate smoking entirely by 2035.

Australia, Canada, and parts of the U.S. also have strict anti-smoking laws, including plain packaging and high tobacco taxes.

However, France is among the first European countries to enforce such broad outdoor restrictions nationwide.

Enforcement and Penalties: What Smokers Need to Know

Authorities have confirmed that:

The maximum penalty for smoking in a banned public space is €150 (~₹13,000).

Local law enforcement and municipal officers will be responsible for issuing fines.

There will be a grace period in early July to raise awareness before strict penalties begin.

The government will also launch a public information campaign to notify citizens and tourists of the rule change.

Role of Parents, Schools, and Communities

The new law has a strong educational angle. Schools and community centers will:

Distribute pamphlets and guides on passive smoking

Host workshops for children and teens

Encourage families to create smoke-free homes

“Education is key. We can’t just punish; we must inform,” said a spokesperson from the French Ministry of Health.

What About Tourists Visiting France?

Tourists will also be subject to the new regulations. Travel agencies and tourism departments have been instructed to:

Update welcome guides and brochures

Post multilingual signs at beaches, gardens, and transport terminals

Include tobacco warnings in tourist-focused apps and kiosks

France’s Long-Term Tobacco Strategy

This latest move is part of a broader strategy called “Plan National de Lutte contre le Tabagisme 2023–2028”, which includes:

Reducing the number of daily smokers by 50%

Expanding nicotine replacement therapy

Increasing taxation on tobacco products

Encouraging a smoke-free generation by 2030

The French government has also invested in quit-smoking helplines, mobile apps, and mental health support for addiction treatment.

France’s ban on public smoking, effective from July 1, 2025, represents a landmark policy shift in tobacco control. By focusing on child protection, public awareness, and health-driven legislation, the country joins a growing global movement committed to reducing smoking prevalence.

While the law may face resistance from some sectors, its long-term health benefits could reshape social habits, public health outcomes, and cultural norms around smoking for generations to come.

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