Starting July 1, 2025, France will implement a nationwide smoking ban in various public outdoor areas to improve public health and protect children from secondhand smoke. This sweeping regulation prohibits smoking on beaches, in public parks, at bus shelters, around schools, at libraries, swimming pools, and near sports venues.

The policy is part of France’s National Tobacco Control Programme and aims to reduce smoking rates while making public spaces safer and more breathable for all citizens, particularly children.

According to Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin, the goal is to create a smoke-free environment where the health of non-smokers especially young people is prioritized. The message is clear: smoking will no longer be tolerated in places where families gather and children play.

Violators of the ban can face fines of up to €135. While enforcement will be handled by local police, authorities expect voluntary compliance from the public as awareness grows.

Some exceptions remain. Smoking will still be permitted on café and bar terraces. Electronic cigarettes are not included in this ban, though further regulation around vaping is being considered, with new rules expected by mid-2026.

France’s daily smoking rate has declined significantly in recent years, yet tobacco remains one of the country’s leading causes of preventable death. With this new outdoor smoking ban, the French government aims to drive that number down further and foster a healthier future for the next generation.