PARIS, FRANCE – In a sweeping move to curb tobacco use and safeguard public health, France is set to implement a nationwide ban on smoking in numerous outdoor public spaces, including its famed beaches, beloved parks, and the vicinity of schools. The new regulations, set to come into force on July 1, 2025, signal a significant escalation in France’s long-running battle against smoking, aiming to create a “tobacco-free generation” by 2032.
Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin announced the comprehensive ban, emphasizing that the focus is squarely on protecting children from the harms of second-hand smoke. “Tobacco must disappear where there are children,” Vautrin declared in an interview with Ouest-France. “The freedom to smoke stops where children’s right to breathe clean air starts.”
The new restrictions will apply broadly to any outdoor area where children are likely to be present. This includes:
- Beaches across the French coastline, a move that will transform the experience for millions of summer tourists.
- Public parks and gardens, bringing a new level of cleanliness and fresh air to urban green spaces.
- Areas outside schools, including colleges, to prevent young people from being exposed to smoking on their way to and from education.
- Bus stops and other public transport waiting zones, extending smoke-free environments to commuter areas.
- Sports venues, ensuring healthier environments for athletes and spectators alike.
Violators of the new ban could face fines of up to €135 (approximately $154 USD). While the measures are extensive, Vautrin confirmed that France’s iconic café terraces, a hallmark of French social life, will be exempt from the ban, allowing smoking and vaping to continue in these designated areas. Electronic cigarettes will also not be covered by the new regulations, though the minister indicated that efforts are underway to limit nicotine levels in these devices.
The decision comes as France grapples with one of the highest smoking rates in Europe. According to the World Health Organization, around 35% of French adults are smokers, significantly above the European average of 25% and the global average of 21%. Annually, an estimated 75,000 tobacco-related deaths occur in France, highlighting the urgent public health imperative.
A recent public opinion survey indicated strong support for the ban, with 62% of French citizens favoring a smoking prohibition in public spaces. This public backing builds on years of grassroots initiatives; over 1,500 cities and villages across France have already voluntarily implemented their own local smoking bans in various public areas, including parks, beaches, and even ski resorts. These local efforts laid the groundwork for the nationwide legislation.
The new ban is a key component of France’s National Anti-Tobacco Programme (2023–2027), which sets an ambitious target of achieving a “tobacco-free generation” by 2032. While anti-smoking advocates have sometimes criticized the government for what they perceive as slow implementation of promised reforms, this latest announcement demonstrates a clear commitment to tightening tobacco control.
For tourists and locals alike, the implementation of this ban will undoubtedly redefine the public outdoor experience across France. As the country prepares for its peak tourist season, travelers will need to adapt to these new regulations, ensuring that the pursuit of clean air takes precedence in the nation’s most cherished public spaces.