• France will ban smoking in outdoor areas accessible to children starting July 1, 2025.
• The ban applies to beaches, parks, and bus stops but excludes café terraces and electronic cigarettes.
• Violators could face fines of up to €135 ($154).
• This initiative is part of a broader National Anti-Tobacco Programme aiming for a tobacco-free generation by 2032.
• Public support for the ban is high, with surveys indicating over 60% approval among French citizens.

France is set to implement a comprehensive ban on smoking in outdoor public areas, effective July 1, 2025. This ban will cover all spaces where children could be present, including beaches, parks, public gardens, bus stops, and areas surrounding schools. Health Minister Catherine Vautrin highlighted the importance of this regulation, stating, "Tobacco must disappear where there are children," a sentiment echoed by numerous health organizations advocating for stricter tobacco control measures, according to BBC and Le Monde.

The forthcoming ban will impose fines of up to €135 ($154) for violations, and enforcement will be managed by local authorities. However, the ban will not include outdoor café terraces or electronic cigarettes. Vautrin noted that this exclusion is under consideration for future regulations, signaling potential developments in tobacco control policy, as mentioned in reports from India Times and South China Morning Post.

Recent statistics indicate that approximately 35% of the French population are regular smokers, a figure that is notably above European and global averages. Each year, around 75,000 deaths in France are attributed to tobacco-related illnesses. This new measure is part of the government's National Anti-Tobacco Programme for 2023 to 2027, which aims to promote a "tobacco-free generation" by 2032. Opinion polls reveal strong public backing for this initiative, with around 62% of respondents favoring stricter controls on smoking in public areas, according to NPR and Reuters.

Anti-tobacco organizations have been advocating for broader bans in public spaces, highlighting the need for legislation that adequately protects vulnerable populations, particularly children. Over 1,500 municipalities have voluntarily adopted similar smoking bans in various public spaces, a move contributing to the societal shift toward reducing tobacco use. While smoking has seen a decline over recent years, with more health-conscious attitudes emerging, the government's push aims to further encapsulate the cultural shift and public health imperatives, as discussed by The Local and The Local.