Starting July 1, 2025, France will implement a broad new smoking ban targeting most outdoor public areas where children may be present, including beaches, parks, bus stops, public gardens, and sports venues. The announcement was made by Minister of Health and Family, Catherine Vautrin, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, as reported by France 24.
The move marks a significant step in France’s ongoing efforts to reduce public smoking, particularly in spaces shared with minors. Known historically as a nation where smoking is deeply ingrained in its café culture and street life, France has been steadily introducing tighter controls on tobacco use in recent years.
“The ban covers all places where children could be present,” said Vautrin. “Tobacco must disappear where there are children.” In an interview with Ouest-France, she emphasized that the freedom to smoke ends where a child’s right to breathe clean air begins.
The new regulation also targets the area outside of schools, aiming to deter students from smoking just beyond the school gates. Violators of the law may face fines of up to 135 euros (approximately US$154).
While the ban significantly expands smoke-free zones, it does not include the iconic terraces of French cafés, preserving one of the country’s most recognizable cultural habits. Additionally, e-cigarettes are not included in the new restriction.
This latest measure builds on France’s existing public smoking laws, which already prohibit smoking in places such as workplaces, airports, train stations, and playgrounds.
Anti-smoking organizations have long pushed for more comprehensive legislation, citing the country’s high smoking rate. According to the World Health Organization, around 35% of the French population smokes—well above the European average of 25% and the global average of 21%.
Tobacco use remains a major public health issue in France, with an estimated 75,000 deaths annually linked to smoking-related illnesses. A recent opinion poll reveals that 60% of French citizens support expanding the ban on smoking in public areas.
With this new law, France aims to further shift public attitudes on smoking and create healthier environments—especially for children—across the country.
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