France Prohibits Smoking on Beaches, Parks, and Bus Shelters

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France to Implement Comprehensive Smoking Ban in Public Spaces

Starting Sunday, France will enforce a ban on smoking at beaches, parks, public gardens, and bus shelters, as announced by the government. This initiative, outlined in a decree published in the official government gazette, is designed to safeguard children from secondhand smoke exposure.

The new regulations will also prohibit smoking outside libraries, swimming pools, and schools, although café terraces are exempt from this restriction. Those caught violating the ban could face fines of 135 euros (approximately $158).

Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin emphasized the importance of clean air for children, stating in May, "Tobacco must be eliminated from areas where children are present."

In France, tobacco-related illnesses claim an estimated 75,000 lives annually. A recent survey found that 62% of the French population supports a smoking ban in public places.