France Enacts Ban on Smoking in Outdoor Spaces for Children’s Health

The move aims to protect children's health, with a €135 fine for violations, while electronic cigarettes remain exempt for now.

France has declared a comprehensive ban on smoking in outdoor areas frequented by children, as announced by Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin. The new legislation, set to take effect on July 1, will restrict smoking in public places, including beaches, parks, public gardens, bus stops, and sports venues.

In an interview with Ouest-France, Vautrin emphasized the necessity of prioritizing children's health, stating, "Tobacco must disappear where there are children," and underscoring that "the freedom to smoke must end where the freedom of children to breathe fresh air begins." However, outdoor seating areas of cafes and bars—known as terrasses—will not be affected by this ban.

Non-compliance with the ban could result in a fine of €135 (£113; $153), with Vautrin affirming that regular police forces will enforce the ban alongside a system of self-regulation. Although electronic cigarettes will initially be exempt from the prohibition, the minister indicated plans to regulate their nicotine content in the future.

Current statistics from the French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction reveal that 23.1% of the French population smokes daily, marking the lowest smoking rate recorded, with a significant decline of over five percentage points since 2014. Despite progress, the National Committee Against Smoking warns of over 75,000 annual deaths attributed to tobacco-related illnesses—accounting for 13% of all deaths in France.

Smoking in premises such as restaurants and nightclubs has been prohibited since 2008 in France. While broader measures to restrict smoking in various public areas were initially slated for 2024, a necessary decree was never enacted. Nevertheless, over 1,500 municipalities have implemented voluntary bans in public areas, and many beaches have maintained non-smoking policies for several years. A recent report from the French cancer association La Ligue Contre le Cancer reveals that nearly 80% of the French population supports banning smoking in public areas like parks, beaches, and wooded spaces.