In a major public health move, the French government has announced a sweeping ban on smoking in outdoor public places frequented by children. The new law, which takes effect on 1 July, will prohibit smoking on beaches, in parks, gardens, near schools, bus stops, and sports venues, as part of efforts to protect minors from second-hand smoke and reduce tobacco use nationwide.
France’s Health and Family Minister, Catherine Vautrin, who announced the new measure, stressed that “tobacco must disappear where there are children.”
“The freedom to smoke must end where the freedom of children to breathe fresh air begins,” Vautrin said in an interview with *Ouest-France* newspaper.
While the outdoor areas of cafes and bars—known as terrasses—will be exempt, the government says the rest of the law will be enforced strictly. Smokers who break the rule will face a €135 (N222,000) fine. Vautrin added that regular police officers will be in charge of enforcement, though she also hopes self-discipline by citizens will play a big role.
The government’s new plan does not apply to electronic cigarettes, but Vautrin noted that she is also working on regulations to reduce nicotine levels in e-cigarettes, particularly those marketed to young people.
The move is part of a broader anti-smoking campaign in France, where tobacco remains a leading cause of death. The National Committee Against Smoking says more than 75,000 people die every year in France from smoking-related diseases—making up 13 percent of all deaths in the country.
According to official data, about 23.1 percent of the French population smokes daily, the lowest level ever recorded and a significant drop from previous years.
Although smoking in restaurants, nightclubs, and indoor public spaces has been banned since 2008, enforcement in outdoor areas has varied. The latest decree is aimed at standardising those rules nationwide.
In fact, over 1,500 local councils in France have already implemented their own bans on smoking in parks, beaches and near schools. Some beaches in popular holiday spots have been designated non-smoking zones for years.
A recent survey by cancer advocacy group La Ligue Contre le Cancer found that 80 percent of French citizens support the idea of banning smoking in places like woodlands, public parks, and beaches.
With the new law set to take effect in July, France joins a growing list of countries stepping up their fight against tobacco in public spaces. The policy is expected to be a major step forward in protecting children from harmful smoke and supporting the country’s long-term public health goals.
