Where Can You Vape in France After Outdoor Smoking Ban
France has implemented a new decree that bans traditional cigarette smoking in many outdoor public spaces, including parks, beaches, and bus stops, effective this past Sunday. The move, part of the new National Tobacco Control Plan, aims to reduce the public’s exposure to secondhand smoke and “de-normalize” a habit that claims nearly 75,000 lives in France each year. However, a major exception persists: electronic cigarettes (vapes) are, for now, largely unaffected by these new outdoor restrictions. This guide explores why vaping has been treated differently and details eight types of public places where vaping is still tolerated, at least for the time being.
Why Does the New Outdoor Ban Exclude Vaping?
The primary reason vaping currently evades the new outdoor restrictions is a lack of scientific consensus and political will regarding its risks in open-air settings. While many medical professionals are calling for stricter controls on e-cigarettes, French authorities are, for the moment, temporizing. The official stance appears to be to allow for more consultation and research before potentially implementing stricter measures specifically for vaping. This tolerance is notable, especially as vape usage is on the rise and many major e-cigarette brands are owned by the very tobacco giants the new anti-smoking plan aims to combat.
Vaping Trends in France
The distinction in policy comes as vaping’s popularity continues to soar. According to the latest report from Santé Publique France, the proportion of vapers has never been higher. Key statistics from 2023 show:
- 41.8% of French adults have tried an e-cigarette at some point.
- 8.3% of adults vape regularly, with 6.1% vaping on a daily basis.
This trend, slightly more prevalent among men (6.8%) than women (5.4%), spans all social classes. In contrast, daily traditional smoking has seen a notable decline, falling to 23.1% of adults in 2023 from 25.3% in 2021. Despite this progress, social inequalities in smoking persist, with those having lower educational attainment smoking at nearly double the rate of those with higher education degrees. Geographically, while the PACA and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regions have the highest smoking rates, Brittany and Normandy lead in the number of daily vapers.
8 Places Where Vaping is Still Allowed (Where Smoking is Now Banned)
If you thought you’d have to pocket your e-cigarette along with traditional smokers this summer, there’s good news for vapers. Vaping remains permitted in many of the public places where tobacco is now banned. Here are eight key areas where vaping is still tolerated under the new national decree, unless a specific local ordinance or sign states otherwise.
Bus Stops and Traveler Waiting Areas
Bus stops, tram stops, and other collective transport waiting zones are now officially smoke-free. However, for vapers, the rule has not changed. It is still possible to use your e-cigarette while waiting for the bus, provided there is no specific local signage prohibiting it.
Beaches (During Summer Season)
Despite the new smoking ban now being in effect on many French beaches, particularly during the summer, no national measure yet targets e-cigarettes in these same spaces. As a result, you can still vape with your feet in the sand, as long as local signage does not expressly forbid it.
Public Parks and Gardens
These green spaces are a primary target of the new “tobacco-free” decree. However, vaping currently escapes this specific rule. Vaping on a park bench or during a stroll remains legal, with the general expectation of being respectful of other users and maintaining distance.
Areas Surrounding Schools (Beyond 10 Meters)
A perimeter, often cited as at least 10 meters around educational institutions, is now a no-smoking zone to limit children’s exposure. Vaping, however, is not explicitly included in this national rule. It remains tolerated in these areas, although its appropriateness is questioned by many. The risks of passive vaping, especially for young people, remain a concern for health advocates.
Around Libraries
Libraries are also considered sensitive zones under the new anti-tobacco policy. Yet, as with schools, nothing in the new national decree specifically restricts the use of e-cigarettes in their immediate vicinity, unless a local decision has been made to do so.
Near Sports Facilities (Stadiums, Pools, etc.)
Whether for a match, training, or a trip to the swimming pool, smokers must now refrain from lighting up in the areas surrounding these venues. In contrast, vaping remains permitted in these zones due to the lack of a specific regulation targeting it.
Near Establishments Hosting Minors
The new decree aims to protect areas frequented by children, such as nurseries, leisure centers, and schools. However, e-cigarettes are not yet explicitly banned in the vicinity of these locations, creating a form of legal ambiguity that may be addressed in future regulations.
In Designated “Tobacco-Free” Areas
Many areas are clearly marked with pictograms, often installed by local authorities, indicating they are “tobacco-free.” These signs explicitly ban traditional tobacco but do not always include electronic cigarettes within their scope, unless a specific “no vaping” symbol or text is also present. Always check the signage carefully.
Conclusion: A Temporary Tolerance?
While France has taken a firm step against traditional smoking in many outdoor public spaces, the world of vaping currently occupies a gray area. The lack of a scientific consensus on the risks of outdoor secondhand aerosol exposure has led to a temporary tolerance. However, with vaping’s usage on the rise and the government’s stated goal of creating a “smoke-free generation,” it is highly likely that this distinction will not last forever. Vapers in France should enjoy this current regulatory gap with consideration for others, but also remain aware that stricter rules targeting vaping in these same public spaces could be on the horizon.
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