France implements a prohibition on smoking in public areas
France To Enforce Comprehensive Smoking Ban in Public Spaces from July
In a move aimed at protecting children from tobacco's harmful effects, France has announced a smoking ban in outdoor public areas where minors are likely to be present. The ban, set to take effect from July 1, 2023, will cover parks, beaches, gardens, sports facilities, bus stops, and areas adjacent to schools.
Health Minister Catherine Vautrin revealed the government's plans in an interview with "Ouest-France," stating, "Tobacco must disappear from places where children are present." She further added, "The freedom to smoke ends where the right to clean air for children begins."
The ban's primary objective is to protect children and young people from secondhand smoke, with the ultimate goal of fostering a smoke-free generation. Areas exempt from the ban include outdoor café/bar terraces, where smoking continues to be allowed, albeit with hope for cultural norms around café dining to evolve over time. Electronic cigarettes are still permitted in these spaces, though the government plans to reduce nicotine content and flavor variety in e-cigarettes by mid-2026.
Violators of the smoking ban in these designated outdoor public spaces could face a fine of €135. Enforcement will primarily be carried out by police officers, with hopes for a degree of self-regulation among the public.
The smoking ban is part of France's broader National Tobacco Control Programme, aiming to reduce tobacco use and protect public health, particularly for children. Tobacco consumption remains a significant health concern, causing around 75,000 deaths annually in France.
France's efforts to curb tobacco consumption come as other European Union (EU) countries discuss a potential public outdoor smoking ban aiming to create a "smoke-free generation" by 2040. The announced measures in France are part of the country's long-term strategy to denormalize tobacco and limit its attractiveness for younger generations.
[1]https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/loda/id/JORFTEXT000034694230[2]https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/lodebauvoisin/id/JORFTEXT000037404731[3]https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/lolcor/id/JO3200156P[4]https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/units-de-la-presidence/les-francais-qui-fument/index.html
- The comprehensive National Tobacco Control Programme in France also includes policies aimed at promoting health-and-wellness, mental-health, fitness-and-exercise, and nutrition within the community.
- As part of France's commitment to a smoke-free future, science plays a crucial role in developing effective strategies for reducing tobacco consumption and promoting healthier alternatives.
- Employment policies may need to adapt to accommodate the changes brought about by the smoking ban, particularly in industries where employees often work outdoors, such as construction or gardening.
