The aim of these rules is to shield children from the hazards of passive smoking, which is responsible for the deaths of an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people annually in the country, as per official statistics.
Key provisions of the new smoking rules:
Publicized in the official government gazette on Saturday, the rules also prohibit smoking in bus shelters and within a 10-meter (33-foot) perimeter of libraries, swimming pools, and schools, places frequently visited by children.
Exceptions to the ban include the terraces of bars and restaurants, setting them apart from upcoming rules in neighboring Spain.
E-cigarettes are not addressed in these rules.
Fines ranging between €135 ($160) and €700 may be imposed for breaches of the ban, although an initial grace period applies.
“Cigarette smoking has no place in areas frequented by children. Parks, beaches, schools — these should be spaces for play, learning, and clean air, not for smoking,” stated Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin.
She added that the new rules mark another step “towards a smoke-free generation,” a goal France aims to achieve by 2032.
Trends in smoking in France:
Despite a decline, over 30% of French adults still smoke, ranking France as one of the countries with higher tobacco consumption in Europe and globally.
The fact that 15% of 17-year-olds also smoke raises significant health concerns.
The French addiction agency, OFDT, reports a decrease in smoking prevalence in France, currently at the “lowest level ever recorded since 2000.”
Approximately 200 people die daily in France — about 75,000 annually — from tobacco-related illnesses, stated Vautrin.
Despite cigarette packs now costing a minimum of €12 ($14), owing to rising tobacco taxes, and smoking being prohibited in restaurants, bars, and public buildings for over a decade, the smoking rate remains relatively high.
According to a recent survey, 62% of the French population supports extending smoking bans to public spaces.
Edited by: Kieran Burke
