PARIS, France – From Sunday, anyone caught lighting up in public parks, on beaches, or near schools in France will be breaking the law, as new nationwide anti-smoking regulations officially come into force.
The ban, published in the government gazette on Saturday, also applies to bus shelters and areas near public facilities such as libraries, swimming pools, and schools — places where children are frequently present.
The measure is part of the French government’s broader push to create a “tobacco-free generation” by 2032, and its timing — just ahead of the summer school holidays — signals a clear intent to protect minors from passive smoking in leisure spaces.
“Tobacco must disappear from places where there are children,” said Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin. “A park, a beach, a school — these are places to play, learn, and breathe. Not for smoking.”
Violators face fines starting at €135 and rising up to €700, although the Health Ministry says an initial grace period will apply as the public adjusts to the new rules.
Smoking will also be restricted within a 10-metre radius of sensitive public facilities, with the ministry expected to publish signage requirements and further guidance in the coming days.
Pushback Over Exemptions
While anti-tobacco activists have welcomed the ban, many argue it doesn’t go far enough.
Criticism is mounting over the exclusion of bar and restaurant terraces — popular smoking spots in French cities — and the continued legality of e-cigarettes in public spaces.
“Children also go to terraces,” said Yves Martinet, president of the National Committee Against Smoking (CNCT). “This measure is a step in the right direction, but remains insufficient.”
Martinet, a pulmonologist, also criticized the absence of electronic cigarettes, saying their flavoured variants are designed to attract youth.
“For a measure to be effective, it must be clear — no tobacco or nicotine consumption in public,” he added.
However, hospitality groups pushed back against further restrictions.
“Smokers and non-smokers can coexist on terraces,” said Franck Trouet of the Hotels and Restaurants of France (GHR). “Terraces are the last places of conviviality and freedom.”
Smoking in Decline but Still Deadly
Despite the debate, smoking is on a slow decline in France. A 2023 report from the French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (OFDT) found that less than 25% of adults aged 18 to 75 smoke daily — the lowest level since 2000.
Still, tobacco remains the leading preventable cause of death in France, causing 75,000 deaths annually. Passive smoking is estimated to contribute to 3,000–5,000 deaths each year.
The OFDT estimates smoking-related costs to French society at €156 billion per year, including healthcare, lost productivity, and enforcement.
According to a recent opinion poll, 62% of French citizens support a smoking ban in public places, reflecting growing public support for stricter tobacco control measures.
