Starting Sunday, smoking will be banned on beaches, in parks, public gardens, and at bus shelters across France, the government announced.
According to a decree published in the official government gazette on Saturday, the ban will also extend to areas outside public libraries, swimming pools, and schools — part of a broader effort to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke, especially among children.
The new regulation aims to protect minors and promote cleaner public spaces. “Tobacco must disappear from places where there are children,” Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin said in May, emphasizing “the right of children to breathe pure air.”
The ban does not apply to café terraces, and electronic cigarettes were not mentioned in the decree.
Violators will face a fine of €135 (approximately $158).
France continues to grapple with the public health toll of tobacco, which is estimated to cause around 75,000 deaths annually.
Public support for tighter restrictions appears strong: a recent opinion survey showed that 62% of French citizens support banning smoking in public places.
AFP
