Smoking in public places is now a no-no.
Keep those cigarettes safely away in Paris. Starting July 1, it is illegal to smoke in public places in France where children might be present. That means you can’t light up on beaches, in parks, or at public swimming pools. Violators—including tourists—face a minimum fine of €90 ($106) or €135 ($159) if they don’t pay within 15 days. The maximum penalty is €700 ($825), though the government will allow an initial grace period.
Restaurant terraces are currently exempt, and the rules also don’t apply to e-cigarettes. You’ll still need to be careful around schools, libraries, or bus stops. Signs will soon designate the minimum distance for smoking around these areas.
The rules were adopted to protect children. France is pushing for a smoke-free generation by 2032. Health and family minister Catherine Vautrin said tobacco needs to disappear from places where children might be present, and smoking must be de-normalized. “A park, a beach, a school—these are places to play, learn, and breathe. Not for smoking.”
Historically, the country has a culture of wine and cigarettes. Although smoking has declined since the 1990s, France remains tobacco-dependent. About 23% of adults say they smoke daily, and more than 18 billion illicit cigarettes are consumed each year, smuggled from Turkey, Bulgaria, and Algeria. The ministry reported most smokers start as teens, with 90% getting addicted before 18. In 2022, about 16% of 17-year-olds said they smoked daily, down from 25% in 2018.
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The European Union is trying to clamp down on tobacco as an avoidable health risk. Tobacco causes 700,000 deaths each year in the E.U., and smokers die 14 years earlier than nonsmokers. Approximately 26% of EU adults smoke, so the bloc is pushing for stricter regulations.
France is not the only country trying to curb smoking. Sweden implemented measures to reduce tobacco use in the 1960s. Over the past 15 years, its smoking rate has fallen from 15% to 5.3%, making it one of the most smoke-free countries in Europe. It has the lowest rates for tobacco-related disease and premature death on the continent, and cancer rates have also declined. Many other European countries are considering tobacco bans. In May, Spain extended its smoking ban to include outdoor bar areas and restaurant terraces. That comprehensive policy also applies to electronic devices, barring smoking on university campuses, at festive events, bus stops, and playgrounds. The U.K., meanwhile, banned disposable vapes to reduce plastic waste. The law doesn’t criminalize possession of disposable vapes; instead, it fines retailers and distributors. The Netherlands has restricted cigarette sales and designated places where they can be purchased. Last year, it prohibited hotels, restaurants, and bars from selling tobacco products and banned indoor smoking areas.
Related: Warnings Issued Across Europe for Excessive, Dangerous Heat Levels