It could catch a few people out – both tourists and locals – as the new rules come into effect this week
Tourists visiting France this summer will need to be aware of the new rules – or risk fines(Image: Ayhan Altun via Getty)
People are being reminded that France will now enforce a new law that could see people, including tourists. Anyone could be fined over £100 for making an innocent mistake after the rules were brought into effect earlier than originally planned.
It was previously reported that the major smoking ban would apply to a range of public places, including popular tourist spots such as beaches, parks, and public gardens. The rules also extend to cover outside schools, bus stops, and sports venues.
The rules should have officially become law on Tuesday, July 1, but officials brought forward the start of this proposed law to Sunday, June 29. The measure was approved in order to help limit the damage that smoking has on young children.
This ban builds on the existing laws in France that prohibit smoking in certain places. Since 2008, it has been against the law to smoke in restaurants and nightclubs, with more places included to protect children from the harms of passive smoking.
Anyone caught breaking the ban will be fined €135 (which works out to £113). The country’s minister for children, health and family, Catherine Vautrin, said the police would enforce the ban, but added that the public would be given the chance to “self-regulate.”
France will ban smoking in outdoor areas frequented by children(Image: Getty)
In France, cafes and bar terraces have been excluded from the ban, meaning people may still smoke cigarettes there. The decree does not mention anything specific about electronic cigarettes.
A HuffPost France poll showed that 68% of French people who responded are for tighter restrictions on smoking in public. Some are even calling for bans to continue, eventually extending to outdoor cafés and restaurants.
People in Britain might struggle to remember the rule, as the UK’s own smoking rules currently only apply indoors. Since July 2007, it has been illegal to smoke in enclosed public places and workplaces in the UK.
People caught ignoring the rules face a fine
It was reported in 2024 by the BBC that the UK Government is considering similar action by extending legislation in England to outdoor areas like playgrounds and hospital grounds to “protect children and the most vulnerable from the harms of second-hand smoke”.
The UK is moving towards creating a “smoke-free generation” through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. This bill aims to prevent the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009. This means that those who were 15 or younger in 2024 will never legally be able to purchase tobacco products.
The bill makes it an offence to sell tobacco products – including cigarettes, hand-rolled tobacco and cigars – to anyone who falls under this age demographic. As well as tobacco, it also includes measures to curb the appeal of vaping to children, such as restricting flavours, packaging, and advertising.