France Implements Comprehensive Smoking Ban in Outdoor Areas Near Children

The French government is taking significant steps to protect children's health by banning smoking in outdoor environments like beaches and parks.

France is stepping up its anti-smoking efforts with a new law that prohibits smoking in all outdoor areas accessible to children, as stated by Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin. This ban, effective July 1, includes popular public spaces such as beaches, parks, bus stops, and regions surrounding schools and sports venues. Vautrin emphasized that "Tobacco must disappear where there are children," asserting that the rights of smokers should not overshadow the rights of children to breathe clean air.

In case of violations, individuals can face fines of €135 (£113; $153), which will be enforced by regular police while also promoting a sense of responsible self-regulation among the public. Notably, outdoor cafe and bar terraces will remain exempt from these restrictions.

Although electronic cigarettes are not included in the ban, Vautrin is actively exploring regulations to limit nicotine levels within these products. Current statistics from the French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction reveal that only 23.1% of the population smokes daily, marking the lowest figure on record and a decline of more than five percentage points since 2014.

The National Committee Against Smoking reports that over 75,000 deaths in France annually result from tobacco-related diseases, accounting for 13% of all fatalities. Smoking bans in indoor settings such as restaurants and nightclubs have been in place since 2008.

While comprehensive regulations for outdoor smoking bans were expected in 2024, the necessary decree had not been finalized. Fortunately, over 1,500 municipalities have voluntarily adopted smoking prohibitions in public domains, and many French beaches have been smoke-free for years. A recent survey by La Ligue Contre le Cancer, the French cancer association, indicates strong public support for outdoor smoking bans, with nearly 80% of citizens backing restrictions in areas like forests, beaches, parks, and terraces.