As of 1 July 2025, smoking will be banned in designated outdoor public spaces, including beaches, public parks and gardens, bus shelters, and vicinity of schools, libraries and sports facilities. Those in violation of this ban will face a €135 fine. This new regulation builds upon existing bans that already prohibited smoking in enclosed public areas such as government offices, businesses, indoor cafés and restaurants, public transport and educational institutions, as well as at children’s playgrounds and in private vehicles carrying minors.
This measure is part of France’s broader effort to reduce tobacco use and better protect children and adolescents by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke. Tobacco consumption remains a significant public health concern in France, responsible for around 75,000 deaths each year. This ban also aims to protect the environment, particularly by reducing litter from cigarette waste, as an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 tons of cigarette butts are discarded annually.