France to Impose €135 Fine for Smoking on Beaches from July 1st
France to ban smoking on beaches, in parks & near schools from July 1 with €135 fine; cafe terraces & vapes currently exempt.
France is set to expand its smoking ban to most outdoor public places starting July 1st, with violators facing fines of up to €135. Health Minister Catherine Vautrin announced the new restrictions, which aim to protect children from tobacco smoke and are reportedly supported by over half the French population.
The nationwide ban will cover areas where children may be present, including beaches, city parks, public gardens, bus stops, and sports grounds. This builds upon existing bans in airports, train stations, and playgrounds, and local prohibitions already enacted by over a thousand municipalities. However, the new national ban will not apply to open-air café terraces, a significant cultural staple, nor will it currently affect the use of electronic cigarettes (vapes).
According to WHO data, over a third (35%) of France’s population smokes, a rate higher than the European (25%) and global (21%) averages, with tens of thousands of deaths annually attributed to smoking-related consequences in the country.
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