From July 1, France will ban smoking in all outdoor places that can be frequented by children. According to the health and family minister, Catherine Vautrin, smoking will be banned in outdoor places such as beaches, parks, public gardens, outside schools, bus stops, and sports venues.
In an interview published by Ouest-France daily says, “Tobacco must disappear where there are children.” The published interview further said, Vautrin added that “the freedom to smoke must end where the freedom of children to breathe fresh air begins”. The outdoor areas of cafes and bars – known as terrasses – will be exempt from the ban, she said.
If someone breaks the new rules/law, /they have to pay a €135 (£113; $153) fine. The burden of enforcement of the law will lie with the regular police. However, it would be great if people followed this new rule by themselves, bringing self-regulation to society.
The newly proposed law exempted electronic cigarettes, and the minister said that she was working to introduce limits on the amounts of nicotine they contain.
What Data Says About Smoking?
A total of 23.1% of the French population smokes daily, the French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction data says. This is also the lowest percentage ever recorded, and a fall of over five points since 2014.
According to France’s National Committee Against Smoking, more than 75,000 smokers die every year due to tobacco-related illnesses. This is 13% of all deaths. In 2008, France banned smoking in establishments like restaurants and nightclubs.
The law banning smoking on beaches, parks, and other public places was about to kick start in 2024; however, the decree needed to be never adopted. However, more than 1,500 municipalities have already voluntarily banned smoking in public places, and hundreds of beaches across France have been non-smoking for several years.
According to the recent report by the French Cancer Association, La Ligue Contre le Cancer, highlights that almost 80% of French people are in Favour of a ban on smoking in public places like woodlands, beaches, parks, and terraces.
The law looks like a leap forward towards ensuring a healthy life and conserving social culture in France. The culture of smoking in French society may decrease in the coming years, as children learn these bad habits from their elders around them. Smoking in public places not only exhibits an acceptance of these bad habits to the children but also irritates non-smokers around.
