Smoking is outlawed on beaches, parks, and schools throughout France, starting 1st July.
France Implements Comprehensive Outdoor Smoking Ban from July 1
Beginning July 1, France will enforce a nationwide smoking ban in various outdoor public spaces in an effort to protect the health of children and young people. These areas include beaches, parks, gardens, bus stops, sports facilities, and the vicinity of schools.
In an interview with "Ouest France" newspaper, Health Minister Catherine Vautrin explained the significance of the ban, stating, "Our objective is to ensure that the generation born in 2025 will be the first smoke-free generation." This ambitious goal is part of a broader effort by the French government to reduce tobacco consumption, which continues to cause approximately 75,000 deaths annually in the country, incurring costs of €150 billion per year in healthcare.
The ban will not apply to the outdoor areas of cafes and e-cigarettes. Enforcement will primarily be carried out by police officers, with hopes for some self-regulation among citizens. Violators found smoking in the designated banned zones will face fines up to €135.
The ban reflects a determination to protect children’s right to breathe clean air, with the minister emphasizing that "the right to smoke must cease where children’s right to breathe clean air commences." This measure is part of a global trend toward denormalizing tobacco and limiting its attractiveness, particularly to the youth.
Sources: ntv.de, dpa
- The new employment policy in France, centered around the science of public health, seeks to implement a smoke-free generation by 2025, as stated in a policy-and-legislation proposal by Health Minister Catherine Vautrin.
- In line with the French government's health-and-wellness initiative, the comprehensive outdoor smoking ban includes areas such as beaches, parks, and school zones to address the negative impacts of tobacco consumption on nutrition and overall health.
- As part of a broader global trend, the French community policy aims to denormalize tobacco usage by restricting it in various outdoor public spaces, particularly to protect children and young people, demonstrating a commitment to policy-and-legislation geared towards a healthy lifestyle.
