France is set to implement a significant ban on smoking in outdoor areas accessible to children, announced health and family minister Catherine Vautrin in a recent interview. Effective July 1, 2024, smoking will be prohibited in places such as beaches, parks, public gardens, outside schools, bus stops, and sports venues. Vautrin was quoted stating, "Tobacco must disappear where there are children," reinforcing the need to protect young generations from the dangers of secondhand smoke.
Cafes and bar terraces will remain exceptions to this ban. Anyone caught violating the new regulations may face a fine of €135 (approximately $153), with enforcement primarily relying on the police, although Vautrin hopes for community cooperation in adherence. While electronic cigarettes are not included in this ban, she is advocating for restrictions on nicotine levels in these products.
Recent statistics from the French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction reveal that daily smoking among the French population has declined significantly to 23.1%, the lowest figure recorded to date. Tobacco-related diseases claim the lives of over 75,000 smokers annually, constituting 13% of all national deaths.
Although France has long banned smoking within establishments like restaurants and nightclubs since 2008, previous attempts to introduce public place smoking bans were stalled. Nevertheless, over 1,500 municipalities have independently opted for smoking prohibitions, and numerous beaches have enforced smoking bans for years. Public opinion also supports this movement, with nearly 80% of the population favoring a ban on smoking in various public settings, according to La Ligue Contre le Cancer.
