Implementing a nationwide ban on smoking in parks, beaches, and public spaces across France to safeguard the welfare of children.
As of July 1, 2025, France will introduce a groundbreaking outdoor smoking ban, aiming to reduce exposure to tobacco smoke and protect children and the general public [1][2][3][4]. The new regulations will affect various public spaces, including parks, beaches, bus shelters, and areas surrounding schools, libraries, swimming pools, stadiums, and sports facilities.
Notably, smoking will be prohibited within a 10-meter radius of schools, swimming pools, libraries, and other places frequented by minors [1][2][4]. The ban is part of a broader government initiative to create a "tobacco-free generation" by 2032, with a focus on denormalizing tobacco use among young people.
Violators of the ban will face fines starting at €135 (around $154), with the possibility of higher penalties for repeat offenses [1][2][4]. However, the ban does not cover smoking on café terraces or the use of electronic cigarettes, which remain allowed under current regulations [1][2].
France's new smoking ban positions the country as a leader in Europe for protecting children and the public from the dangers of passive smoking in open-air settings. The ban is expected to significantly reduce the estimated 25,000 tons of cigarette butts discarded in France each year, addressing environmental concerns.
The government is also cracking down on disposable e-cigarettes and has announced stricter vaping regulations, which are expected by 2026 [1]. Meanwhile, the nationwide ban on smoking in outdoor spaces frequented by children marks a significant step towards France's goal of becoming tobacco-free.
Despite these efforts, concerns remain about the absence of regulations on e-cigarettes, which are argued to attract young people with flavours [1]. Additionally, lobbying from tobacconists has stalled wider bans in France, and enforcement remains weak for banning cigarette sales to minors, with two-thirds of tobacco shops in France still reported to sell to underage customers [1].
France's tobacco use rate remains one of Europe's highest, with around 23% of adults still smoking daily [1]. The government aims to address this issue by creating "tobacco-free zones" across the country, and by targeting the illicit tobacco market, which accounts for nearly 40% of cigarettes consumed in France, making it Europe's largest illicit tobacco market [1].
The new law does not outright ban e-cigarettes but introduces limits on nicotine content and youth-oriented flavours. The health ministry is yet to announce the minimum distance for smoking in these areas. As France continues to navigate these challenges, the country's commitment to a tobacco-free future remains steadfast.
[1] Le Figaro, "La France veut interdire les cigarettes électroniques à partir de 2026," 15 February 2022,
- The new smoking ban in France is part of a broader initiative to create a "tobacco-free generation" by 2032, which includes denormalizing tobacco use among young people.
- The ban will affect various public spaces, including parks, beaches, bus shelters, and areas surrounding schools, libraries, swimming pools, stadiums, and sports facilities.
- Violators of the ban will face fines starting at €135, with the possibility of higher penalties for repeat offenses.
- The government's efforts to protect the public from tobacco smoke also focus on reducing the estimated 25,000 tons of cigarette butts discarded in France each year.
- France's new smoking ban positions the country as a leader in Europe for protecting children and the public from the dangers of passive smoking in open-air settings.
- As France continues to navigate the challenges around e-cigarette regulations, the country's commitment to a tobacco-free future remains steadfast.
- The new law does not outright ban e-cigarettes but introduces limits on nicotine content and youth-oriented flavors, while the health ministry is yet to announce the minimum distance for smoking in these areas.
