France to Expand Smoking Ban Starting in July, Fines Up to €135

The French government plans to expand the smoking ban in public areas starting this July, with violators facing fines of up to €135 (approximately NT$4,580). France's Minister of Labor, Health, and Solidarity, Catherine Vautrin, announced that from July 1, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in all outdoor public areas where children may be present.
This ban is part of France's National Tobacco Control Plan for 2023-2027 aimed at creating a smoke-free generation, with the goal of completely phasing out tobacco use by 2032. Vautrin emphasized that tobacco should not be present anywhere children are, asserting that the freedom to smoke should not infringe upon children’s right to breathe clean air.
The ban will apply to beaches, parks, public gardens, areas around schools, bus stops, and sports facilities. While traditional cigarettes are prohibited in specific public areas, outdoor seating at cafes and bars is exempt from this ban, and electronic cigarettes are currently not regulated. However, Vautrin noted plans to limit the nicotine concentration and flavor options of electronic cigarettes by mid-2026. The government currently has no plans to impose additional taxes on tobacco, citing concerns that it might fuel the black market.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the smoking rate in France is about 35%, higher than the European average of 25% and the global average of 21%. Approximately 75,000 people in France die annually from tobacco-related diseases. Recent polls indicate that 62% to 80% of the French public supports banning smoking in public places, with 83% in favor of similar restrictions on electronic cigarettes.
Notably, France is not the only European country pushing for such measures. The Spanish government recently announced plans to expand its public smoking ban to include outdoor seating areas of restaurants and bars, university campuses, official vehicles, and outdoor sports event venues.