Paris (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – France is introducing a ban on smoking in certain public areas, including beaches, parks, bus shelters and public gardens, from Sunday, the French government has announced.
As reported by France 24, France is set to ban smoking on beaches and in parks, public gardens and bus shelters from Sunday, according to the government. Under the new decree, published in the official government gazette on Saturday, smoking will be banned outside libraries, swimming pools, and schools. The aim is to protect children from passive smoking.
However, Electronic cigarettes weren’t mentioned in the decree. Those who break the ban will face a fine of 135 euros.
“Tobacco must disappear from places where there are children,”
Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin had stated in May, highlighting
“the right of children to breathe pure air”.
Cafe terraces are excluded from the ban.
How many people die from tobacco use in France?
As stated in the most recent reports by French health authorities, France very likely has more than 75,000 deaths from tobacco every year, showing the continued and significant burden tobacco places on public health. Deaths attributable to tobacco include cancer deaths, cardiovascular disease deaths, chronic lung disease deaths, and deaths from the complications of passive smoking.
Which European countries have similar smoking bans?
Several European nations are enacting or will soon implement smoking bans in outdoor public spaces, as France has initiated. Like many Spanish cities, including Barcelona and Valencia, have imposed smoking bans on virtually all beaches and most public spaces. City leaders in places like Milan and Turin have enforced strict outdoor smoking bans as well. Beginning on January 1, 2025, Milan´s smoking ban prohibits smoking outdoors when someone is within a 10-meter distance, with fines up to €240.
Greece has also imposed smoking bans on certain beaches and public spaces, especially in HOT tourist areas, to protect public health and cut down on litter in the form of cigarette butts.
