France Bans Smoking In All Public Places; Violators May Face Fine Of Over Rs 13,000
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The French Health Minister had announced a sweeping ban on smoking in public spaces in May, citing the need to protect children from passive smoking.
France made good on its promise of a sweeping ban on cigarettes by banning smoking on beaches, parks, public gardens and bus shelters and other places from Sunday (June 29), the government said.
As per the decree, no smoking would be permitted outside libraries, swimming pools and schools. This step is aimed at protecting children from passive smoking, although it does not mention electronic cigarettes. Violators may face a fine of 135 euros (Rs 13,517).
'Tobacco must disappear from places where there are children," Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin had said in May, adding that freedom to smoke 'stops where children's right to breathe clean air starts." The outdoor areas of cafes and bars – known as terrasses – will be exempt from the ban, BBC quoted her as saying.
Some 75,000 people are estimated to die from tobacco-related complications each year in France. According to a recent opinion survey, six out of 10 French people (62%) favour a smoking ban in public places.
The ban was earlier supposed to come in effect from July 1. Widespread measures to ban smoking on beaches, parks and other public places of France were meant to kick in in 2024, but the decree needed to do that was never adopted.
Smoking in establishments like restaurants and nightclubs has been banned in France since 2008.
Daily Mail. The government also came under pressure from acting slowly on implementing these measures.
France's new law mirrors similar steps in other European countries. Countries like Britain and Sweden have already tightened smoking regulations in public spaces. Sweden banned smoking on outdoor restaurant terraces, at bus stops and near schoolyards in 2019. Spain, meanwhile, is extending its smoking ban to café and restaurant terraces – spaces that remain exempt in France, at least for now.
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