The Voice News:France is set to ban smoking in open spaces, prioritizing the safety of children. Under this new initiative, smoking will be prohibited at beaches, around schools, and in public parks.
According to a report published by the BBC on Thursday night (29 May), the French government has announced that, starting from 1 July, smoking will be banned in all open spaces where children are likely to be present. This includes parks, beaches, school surroundings, bus stops, and sports grounds.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Catherine Vautrin stated, “There is no place for tobacco where children are present. The freedom to smoke should end where children have the right to breathe freely.”
The ban will cover areas such as beaches, parks and public gardens, the outer premises of schools, bus stops, and sports venues. However, outdoor seating areas of cafes and bars—commonly known in French as ‘terraces’—will remain exempt from this restriction.
Violating the rule will result in a fine of €135 (approximately $153 USD). Enforcement will be handled by regular police officers, though the minister expressed hope that people would voluntarily comply with the rule.
The ban, however, does not apply to electronic cigarettes. But the minister added that she is working to limit the nicotine levels found in e-cigarettes.
Background
According to the BBC, anti-smoking campaigns are not new in France. Since 2008, smoking has been banned in indoor public spaces such as restaurants and nightclubs. Although plans to prohibit smoking on beaches and in parks have existed for a long time, they lacked legal enforcement due to the absence of official decrees.
Nevertheless, over 1,500 municipalities in France have already voluntarily implemented such restrictions. Hundreds of beaches across the country have also become smoke-free in recent years.