France will introduce a nationwide ban on smoking in many outdoor public places beginning July 1. The new law will cover areas such as beaches, parks, sports fields, bus stops, and zones around schools. The aim is to protect children from exposure to tobacco smoke. Previously, some cities had their own outdoor smoking restrictions, but now the ban applies across the entire country.
People who break the law by smoking in these banned areas may face a fine of €135. Municipal police will be responsible for enforcing the new rules. The government hopes this measure will reduce smoking in public spaces where families and children gather.
The health minister emphasized the goal of creating a future generation free from tobacco exposure. While smoking will still be allowed in private spaces and designated smoking areas, public outdoor areas will see stricter regulations. Currently, e-cigarettes are not included in the ban, but further rules on nicotine content and flavors may be introduced to limit youth use.
This new ban is part of France’s larger 2023–2027 anti-tobacco plan, which aims to build a smoke-free generation by 2032. Youth smoking rates have already decreased, with just 15.6% of 17-year-olds reporting smoking in 2023, down from double that number a decade ago.
Each year, around 75,000 people in France die due to tobacco-related causes. The government sees prevention as key, focusing on protecting clean air rights for all, especially children.
The ban is expected to improve public health and reduce exposure to secondhand smoke in outdoor areas. Smokers will still have designated places and private spaces where they can smoke legally. The government’s next steps may include regulating e-cigarettes more strictly to prevent youth uptake.
