In a sweeping public health move, the French government has banned smoking in various outdoor public spaces, including beaches, parks, bus shelters, and areas near schools and sports facilities. The new regulation, effective June 29, 2025, is aimed at shielding children from secondhand smoke and promoting a cleaner, healthier environment.
The decree, published in the official gazette, enforces a fine of up to €135 for violators. While smoking remains permitted on café terraces, electronic cigarettes are excluded from this restriction. Health officials say the measure is part of a broader campaign to reduce France’s high tobacco-related mortality rate, estimated at 75,000 deaths annually.
Public support for the ban has been strong, with polls showing that a majority of French citizens back the extension of smoke-free zones. The initiative underscores France’s commitment to tightening anti-smoking laws and aligns with wider European efforts to discourage tobacco use in public spaces.
