The French government has announced a ban on smoking in all areas where children are present, including beaches, parks, and outside schools, which will take effect in July. Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin stated that the initiative aims to eliminate cigarettes from places frequented by children, asserting, “the freedom to smoke must end where the freedom of children to breathe fresh air begins.”
The enforcement of this ban will be supported by police, with offenders facing fines of €135 (approximately AUD 237). While the government encourages self-regulation among smokers, it will take legal action against those who do not comply. Notably, outdoor café and bar terraces are exempt from this regulation, alongside electronic cigarettes, although the government is considering future restrictions on nicotine levels in such products.
Currently, 23% of France’s population smokes daily, marking the lowest figure recorded in history, according to the French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. While the plan for widespread smoking bans in communal areas was initially proposed last year, it was not implemented. However, many local governments have already taken action, with around 1,500 beaches having enacted their own smoking prohibitions over the years.
Overall, the goal of this new legislation is to safeguard children’s health in public spaces by reducing tobacco exposure.