Starting July 1, 2025, France will enforce a new smoking ban targeting public outdoor spaces frequented by children. The move, announced by Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin, aims to curb exposure to secondhand smoke and promote public health.
The ban will apply to Beaches, Public parks, Bus stops, School entrances, Sports venues.
“Tobacco must disappear where there are children. The freedom to smoke stops where children’s right to breathe clean air starts,” said Vautrin in an interview with Ouest-France.
Violators will face fines of up to €135 ($154). However, the rule does not affect France’s iconic outdoor café terraces or electronic cigarette use.
France already prohibits smoking in indoor public places, including workplaces, airports, train stations, and playgrounds. The new ban follows persistent calls by anti-smoking groups for stricter regulations.
According to WHO data, approximately 35% of France’s population smokes, far higher than the European average of 25% and the global average of 21%.