France To Enforce Smoking Ban At Beaches, Parks, Schools And Bus Stops From July 1

Last Updated:May 30, 2025, 16:03 IST

France will ban smoking in public places like beaches, parks, and bus stops from July 1 to protect children. Fines up to 135 euros. Cafe terraces and e-cigarettes excluded.

Smoking will be banned in all the places that is exposed to children (Representative image)

In a move aimed at keeping children away from cigarette menace, France will soon enforce a ban on smoking in all public places, including beaches, parks and bus stops. The announcement was made by France’s health and family minister on Thursday. The new ban will come into into force on July 1.

This move can be a significant step in curb smoking menace in the European nation which is famous as a country where smokers linger over cigarettes on cafe terraces or strolling down cobblestone streets.

In recent years, the European nation has increasingly tightened restrictions on tobacco use in public spaces.

The restriction will cover all spaces where children could be present, including “beaches, parks, public gardens, outside of schools, bus stops and sports venues", said the minister Catherine Vautrin.

“Tobacco must disappear where there are children," Vautrin said in an interview to a French daily.

The freedom to smoke “stops where children’s right to breathe clean air starts," she said. The restriction will also extend to schools, to stop students smoking in front of them.

Fine Up To135 euros For Offenders

Minister Vautrin said that those found violating the rule may face a fine of up to 135 euros ($154).

The smoking curbs will not extend to France’s iconic cafe terraces, the health minister added. Electronic cigarettes, which have boomed in France in recent years, are also not covered.

France already doesn’t allow smoking in public spaces like workplaces, airports and train stations, as well as playgrounds.

Meanwhile, anti-smoking groups had been demanding for a broader ban. Approximately 35 per cent of France’s population are smokers, higher than the averages for Europe (25 percent) and the world (21 percent), according to the WHO.

6 Out Of 10 French Citizens Favour Smoking Ban: Survey

In France, an estimated figure of 75,000 people are believed to loose their lives to tobacco-related complications each year. According to a recent opinion survey, six out of 10 French people (62 percent) favour banning smoking in public places.

The government’s national Anti-Tobacco Programme for 2023 to 2027 proposed restriction on smoking similar to the one announced by the health minister, calling France to “rise to the challenge of a tobacco-free generation from 2032".

However, some anti-tobacco organisations had voiced concerns, alleging the authorities were delaying in implementing the measures.

Over 1,500 cities and villages had already imposed restriction on their own on smoking in public spaces such as parks, beaches and ski slopes.

The French minister added that there were no plans to place additional taxes on cigarettes “at the moment", citing the thriving black market that cropped up after existing taxes were introduced in an attempt to discourage smoking.

Manisha Roy

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18...Read More

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18...

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News world France To Enforce Smoking Ban At Beaches, Parks, Schools And Bus Stops From July 1