France will enforce a new national law starting July 1, 2025, that bans smoking in many public outdoor areas. This includes beaches, parks, sports venues, bus stops, and areas near schools. The aim of the law is to reduce the exposure of children and young people to tobacco smoke and to discourage smoking in everyday public life.
Until now, some cities had already created smoke-free zones. But this new rule will apply across the entire country. The French government is sending a clear message: smoking will no longer be welcome in most public outdoor areas. People who break the new law could face a fine of €135. Police in local areas will be in charge of making sure the rule is followed.
The new law is part of a larger plan by the government to reduce smoking across the population. It is included in the National Anti-Tobacco Strategy 2023–2027. One of the main goals is to help create a tobacco-free generation. French leaders want children born in 2025 to grow up in a society where smoking is not common or accepted in public spaces.
This law does not apply to smoking in private homes or in specific smoking zones that are clearly marked. Adults will still have the right to smoke in these places. But the public space around schools, parks, and transportation areas will be smoke-free.
France has made some progress in lowering smoking rates in recent years. In 2023, only 15.6% of 17-year-olds said they smoked. This is about half the rate reported ten years earlier, when around 30% of teenagers smoked. The drop is a positive sign for public health efforts and shows that stricter tobacco laws may be working.
Each year, around 75,000 people in France die from smoking-related illnesses such as lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory issues. These deaths are considered preventable. The government believes that creating more smoke-free spaces will help protect everyone, especially children, from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.
The new rule does not include e-cigarettes or vaping devices. However, the government is also looking into new rules for these products. Officials are considering setting limits on the amount of nicotine in e-cigarettes and restricting sweet or fruity flavors that often attract young users. France is not alone in this approach. Other European countries, including Germany and the UK, are also tightening rules on e-cigarette use, especially among youth.
Public support for the smoking ban is high. Many people agree that clean air in parks and near schools is important for children’s health. In a recent national survey, most French citizens said they support smoke-free zones in public places, especially those where families and children gather.
There are some who say the rule may be hard to enforce. Others think it might go too far by limiting people’s freedom in outdoor spaces. However, many health experts say the law is an important step in helping people quit smoking and in stopping young people from picking up the habit in the first place.
Other countries are also moving in this direction. In New Zealand, a new law now bans smoking for anyone born after 2008. In the United States, many cities have also banned smoking in parks, beaches, and bus stops. These global trends show that more governments see public smoking bans as a tool to improve health and prevent illness.
Starting July 1, both residents and tourists in France should be aware of where they are allowed to smoke. Avoid lighting a cigarette in parks, on beaches, at bus stops, and near schools. Look for signs that mark smoke-free areas. Smokers can still use private spaces and designated zones without breaking the law.