France enacts a ban on public smoking locations
France to Introduce Smoking Ban in Outdoor Public Spaces to Protect Children
Starting July 1, 2023, France will enforce a new smoking ban in outdoor public spaces where children are present. The ban aims to safeguard children from the hazards of secondhand smoke.
The affected locations include beaches, parks, public gardens, areas surrounding schools, bus stops, and sports facilities, due to their high probability of being frequented by children. Violators of the smoking ban will be liable to fines of up to €135.
The ban will exempt café terraces for the time being, although the health minister has not ruled out extending the ban to these areas in the future. Regarding electronic cigarettes, the ban does not apply currently. However, the French government plans to limit the nicotine content and the variety of flavors in e-cigarettes by mid-2026.
In a statement to "Ouest-France" newspaper, Health Minister Catherine Vautrin explained, "Tobacco must disappear from places where children are present. The freedom to smoke ends where the right to clean air for children begins." Around 13% of the total annual deaths in France are attributed to tobacco consumption, according to the French government's campaign against tobacco. Nearly a quarter of French people smoke daily, as the French Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction reports.
The new smoking ban is part of a series of measures to combat tobacco consumption. Established in 2008, France has prohibited smoking in restaurants and clubs. The government seeks to promote a "smoke-free generation" by 2040, raising questions about a possible EU-wide outdoor smoking ban in the future.
Sources: ntv.de, lme/AFP.
The French government may consider expanding the smoking ban to include café terraces, under the community policy. This policy initiative is part of an extensive employment policy aimed at creating a smoke-free generation by 2040. Moreover, the health-and-wellness sector, including nutrition education, might play a key role in informing the public about the dangers of smoking and the benefits of a smoke-free lifestyle.
