Paris, June 30, 2025 — France will officially implement a sweeping ban on smoking in several public outdoor spaces starting Sunday, the government announced.
The new restrictions, published in the official government gazette on Saturday, are part of a broader campaign to protect public health—particularly children—from the dangers of passive smoking.
The decree prohibits smoking on beaches, in public parks and gardens, and at bus stops across the country. It also extends to outdoor areas surrounding libraries, schools, and swimming pools. French Health Minister Frédéric Valletoux described the measure as a “milestone step in making public spaces healthier and more family-friendly.”
“For too long, tobacco smoke has invaded places where families and children go to relax and breathe fresh air. This ban is about protecting future generations,” Valletoux said in a press briefing.
The move comes amid rising concern in France about the health effects of secondhand smoke, especially among minors. The World Health Organization estimates that secondhand smoke exposure kills over 1.2 million people worldwide each year, with children being particularly vulnerable to respiratory illnesses and developmental issues.
French authorities hope that reducing public smoking will not only curb these risks but also help shift public attitudes toward tobacco use.
Local municipalities have long had the power to impose such restrictions on their own, but the new nationwide law unifies these efforts under one legal framework.
Previously, smoking bans on beaches were implemented piecemeal by individual cities like Nice, Marseille, and Biarritz. Now, the rules will apply uniformly across all regions of France.
The new legislation will be enforced through fines, though the government has not yet specified the exact penalties for violations. Local authorities will be tasked with posting clear signage in affected areas and may also carry out random spot checks.
According to government sources, enforcement will focus more on awareness and prevention in the early stages, with a gradual move toward stricter penalties.
The tobacco lobby and some civil liberty advocates have criticized the law, claiming it infringes on personal freedoms and may be difficult to enforce in large outdoor areas.
However, public support for anti-smoking measures remains high in France, where nearly 75% of adults favor restrictions on smoking in areas frequented by children, according to a 2024 public health survey.
Environmental advocates have also welcomed the decree, citing the reduction of cigarette butt litter in natural spaces.
According to a 2023 report by the French Ministry of Ecological Transition, cigarette butts are the most commonly collected litter on French beaches, with a single filter capable of polluting up to 500 liters of water.
The smoking ban is part of France’s wider anti-tobacco initiative aimed at reducing the national smoking rate, which remains one of the highest in Western Europe.
The government has pledged to create a “tobacco-free generation” by 2032, with a focus on youth education, higher cigarette taxes, and expanded cessation support programs.
As the new regulations come into effect, France joins a growing list of countries taking robust action to limit tobacco use in public settings. Health officials say the success of the law will depend largely on public cooperation and cultural change.
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