France Bans Smoking In Beaches, Parks And Bus Shelters

Starting in July, France will enforce a comprehensive ban on smoking in numerous public outdoor areas, including beaches, public parks, bus shelters, and zones near schools, libraries, and swimming pools. This initiative is part of a wider government effort to curb tobacco consumption and foster a healthier public environment, especially for children.

French Health Minister Catherine Vautrin, who unveiled the policy earlier this year, stressed the need to protect minors from secondhand smoke. “Wherever there are children, smoking must disappear,” she stated, expressing optimism that France could achieve a “smoke-free generation” if the nation takes decisive action now.

The new regulation, officially published in the government’s legal gazette, will not yet extend to café terraces and bar patios. However, Minister Vautrin indicated that these spaces might be included in future stages of the anti-smoking campaign. While electronic cigarettes are currently excluded from the ban, the government intends to introduce stricter controls on their nicotine levels and flavourings by mid-2026.

Local authorities throughout France will be tasked with enforcing the ban. Smokers caught violating the new rules could face a €135 fine, as outlined by the French Council of State, which is finalizing the legal framework’s details.

This measure is one of 26 components in a broader anti-smoking strategy announced in November 2023. The strategy also includes plans to increase tobacco prices, implement plain packaging for cigarette products, and impose tougher regulations on the sale and composition of vaping devices.

Public backing for stricter tobacco control appears robust. A survey by the Ligue contre le cancer showed that nearly 80% of French citizens support banning smoking in public places, while 83% endorse increased regulation of e-cigarettes. These figures reflect a strong national consensus on the urgency of addressing tobacco-related health issues, with nearly 75,000 tobacco-related deaths recorded annually in France.

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Nnamdi Okoli