Starting July 1, 2025, France will implement a smoking ban in outdoor public spaces frequented by children, including beaches, parks, bus stops, school entrances, and sports venues.
The announcement was made on Thursday, May 29, by Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin.
“Tobacco must disappear where there are children.
The freedom to smoke stops where children’s right to breathe clean air starts,” Vautrin told Ouest-France newspaper.
The new measure will also prohibit students from smoking in front of schools. Violators of the regulation may face fines of up to €135 ($154).
However, the ban does not extend to France’s iconic outdoor café terraces or include the use of electronic cigarettes.
France already enforces smoking restrictions in several public areas, such as workplaces, train stations, airports, and playgrounds. Anti-smoking advocates have consistently pushed for broader measures to protect non-smokers, especially children.
According to the World Health Organization, about 35% of France’s population smokes—significantly higher than the European average of 25% and the global average of 21%.
