France has upped its fight against tobacco by banning smoking in outdoor public spaces where children are likely to be present, starting July 1, 2025.
The new regulation will prohibit smoking at beaches, parks, school entrances, bus stops, and sports venues across the country.
Announcing the move, French Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin said the goal is to shield young people from second-hand smoke and promote cleaner air in shared spaces.
“Tobacco must disappear where there are children,” Vautrin said in an interview with Ouest-France. “The freedom to smoke stops where children’s right to breathe clean air starts.”
The policy will also curb the common sight of students smoking outside school gates—a habit that public health officials say sends the wrong message to younger pupils.
Violators could face fines of up to €135 ($154) for lighting up in prohibited zones.
Despite its wide scope, the ban will not extend to electronic cigarettes or France’s iconic outdoor café terraces, where smoking remains permitted.
France already enforces a ban on smoking in most indoor public spaces, including workplaces, public transport hubs, and playgrounds.
Health advocates have welcomed the decision, noting its potential to reshape social norms around smoking and protect future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco exposure.
