Starting July 1, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in outdoor spaces across France where children are commonly found.
These locations include beaches, public parks, bus stops, school entrances, and sports arenas.
The announcement was made by France’s Health and Family Minister, Catherine Vautrin, on Thursday, May 29.
“Tobacco must disappear where there are children.
The freedom to smoke stops where children’s right to breathe clean air starts,” Vautrin told Ouest-France newspaper.
The new policy is also aimed at curbing the common practice of students smoking in front of school gates. Violators of the law could face fines of up to €135 (approximately $154).
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While the measure targets areas frequented by children, it notably does not extend to France’s iconic outdoor café terraces or to the use of electronic cigarettes.
France has already implemented smoking bans in many public areas such as offices, airports, train stations, and playgrounds. Anti-smoking advocates have continued to push for broader restrictions in the interest of public health.
Data from the World Health Organisation indicates that around 35 per cent of people in France are smokers—well above the European average of 25 per cent and the global average of 21 per cent.
