France will implement a comprehensive smoking ban in the majority of outdoor public areas that children visit, such as parks, beaches, bus stops, gardens, school entrances, and sporting arenas, from July 1, 2025. Reducing exposure to secondhand smoke and protecting children's right to clean air are the goals of this project, which was introduced by Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin.

The ban excludes café terraces and does not apply to electronic cigarettes. Enforcement will be carried out by law enforcement agencies, though Vautrin expressed hope that public "self-regulation" would play a significant role in compliance.

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This action expands on France's long-standing tobacco control initiatives. In 2008, smoking was outlawed in indoor public places like pubs and restaurants. At the moment, more than 1,500 towns and several beaches have enacted smoking bans on their own. About 23% of French people smoke every day, which is a considerable decrease from earlier decades.

The new law supports France's broader 2023–2027 National Anti-Tobacco Program, which seeks to end tobacco consumption by 2032. This extensive initiative aims to reduce tobacco use through a mix of stricter legislation, greater public awareness, and easier access to cessation support. Officials hope that by gradually limiting spaces where smoking is socially and legally acceptable, younger generations will grow up in an environment where tobacco use is neither visible nor normalised.


Public health advocates have supported the prohibition, while some detractors claim it violates people's rights. Regarding the restriction of individual liberties, Mayor David Lisnard of Cannes questioned if public health justifies such measures.

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This latest initiative by France aligns with a growing trend across Europe to implement stricter smoking regulations. Countries like Spain and the United Kingdom are expanding restrictions to outdoor venues, reflecting a continental shift towards more comprehensive smoking bans.

This comprehensive outdoor smoking ban marks a significant step in France's ongoing efforts to promote public health and protect its citizens, particularly children, from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke.