France bans smoking in public to protect kids
France will ban smoking in all outdoor places that can be accessed by children, including beaches, parks and bus stops, the health and family minister announced Thursday.
Famed as a country where smokers linger over cigarettes on cafe terraces or strolling down cobblestone streets, France has increasingly tightened restrictions on tobacco use in public spaces in recent years.
The new ban, which will enter into force on July 1, will cover all spaces where children could be present, including "beaches, parks, public gardens, outside of schools, bus stops and sports venues", said the minister Catherine Vautrin.
"Tobacco must disappear where there are children," Vautrin said in an interview published by the regional Ouest-France daily on its website.
The freedom to smoke "stops where children's right to breathe clean air starts," she said.
The ban will also extend to schools, to stop students smoking in front of them. Offenders face a fine of up to 135 euros ($154), Vautrin said.
The ban will not extend to France's iconic cafe terraces however, the minister said. Electronic cigarettes, which have boomed in France in recent years, are also not covered.
France already forbids smoking in public spaces such as workplaces, airports and train stations, as well as playgrounds. Anti-smoking groups had been fighting for a broader ban.
An estimated 35 per cent of France's population are smokers — higher than the averages for Europe (25 per cent) and the world (21 per cent), according to the World Health Organisation.
Around 75,000 people are estimated to die from tobacco-related complications each year in France.
According to a recent opinion survey, six out of 10 French people (62 per cent) favour banning smoking in public places.
Vautrin said there were no plans to place additional taxes on cigarettes "at the moment", citing the thriving black market that emerged after existing taxes were introduced in a bid to discourage smoking. afp
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
12 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Sanofi's $9.5B acquisition of Blueprint Medicines strengthens rare immunology portfolio
In a major move underscoring its ambition to lead in rare diseases and immunology, French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi announced its plan to acquire US-based Blueprint Medicines for up to $9.5 billion. The deal was announced by a press release on Sanofi's website. It is the largest by a European healthcare company this year and will see Sanofi paying $129 per share in cash, a significant premium that sent Blueprint's stock soaring in premarket trading. Blueprint Medicines, known for its specialty in treating systemic mastocytosis a rare blood disorder marked by the overproduction of mast cells brings to Sanofi a strong foothold in a niche yet critical area of medicine. The acquisition adds the FDA-approved drug Ayvakit, the only treatment for advanced systemic mastocytosis, to Sanofi's growing immunology portfolio. Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson framed the deal as a strategic leap forward, enhancing the company's pipeline and reinforcing its transformation into a global leader in immunology. We announced an agreement to acquire Blueprint Medicines, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in systemic mastocytosis, a rare immunological disease, and other KIT-driven diseases. — Sanofi (@sanofi) June 2, 2025 With a promising pipeline including next-generation therapies like elenestinib and BLU-808, the acquisition fits into Sanofi's broader ambition of innovation despite recent setbacks, including a failed lung disease drug trial. Industry analysts from JP Morgan praised the acquisition for its strategic and financial merits, forecasting Ayvakit could generate $2 billion in annual sales by 2030. Sanofi's ongoing spree of acquisitions, including Vigil Neuroscience and Inhibrx, signals a company doubling down on R&D investments to reshape its future. The acquisition aligns with Sanofi's broader strategy to invest heavily in US manufacturing and research, tapping into incentives and momentum driven by recent government policies. With Blueprint Medicines now joining its portfolio, Sanofi cements its stake in cutting-edge immunology treatments and rare disease therapies, positioning itself for long-term growth in a competitive pharmaceutical landscape.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
France bans smoking in public to protect kids
France will ban smoking in all outdoor places that can be accessed by children, including beaches, parks and bus stops, the health and family minister announced Thursday. Famed as a country where smokers linger over cigarettes on cafe terraces or strolling down cobblestone streets, France has increasingly tightened restrictions on tobacco use in public spaces in recent years. The new ban, which will enter into force on July 1, will cover all spaces where children could be present, including "beaches, parks, public gardens, outside of schools, bus stops and sports venues", said the minister Catherine Vautrin. "Tobacco must disappear where there are children," Vautrin said in an interview published by the regional Ouest-France daily on its website. The freedom to smoke "stops where children's right to breathe clean air starts," she said. The ban will also extend to schools, to stop students smoking in front of them. Offenders face a fine of up to 135 euros ($154), Vautrin said. The ban will not extend to France's iconic cafe terraces however, the minister said. Electronic cigarettes, which have boomed in France in recent years, are also not covered. France already forbids smoking in public spaces such as workplaces, airports and train stations, as well as playgrounds. Anti-smoking groups had been fighting for a broader ban. An estimated 35 per cent of France's population are smokers — higher than the averages for Europe (25 per cent) and the world (21 per cent), according to the World Health Organisation. Around 75,000 people are estimated to die from tobacco-related complications each year in France. According to a recent opinion survey, six out of 10 French people (62 per cent) favour banning smoking in public places. Vautrin said there were no plans to place additional taxes on cigarettes "at the moment", citing the thriving black market that emerged after existing taxes were introduced in a bid to discourage smoking. afp
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
Youth at risk as hypertension cases climb
A cardiologist stressed that hypertension is increasingly affecting Pakistani youth, emphasising the need for regular monitoring and awareness as the World Health Organisation reports over 1 billion people worldwide are affected with estimates suggesting a rise to 1.5 billion by 2025. In an exclusive conversation with a private news channel, renowned Heart Specialist Dr Bashir Hanif highlighted the significance of World Hypertension Day, observed annually on May 17 to raise public awareness and promote prevention and control of this disease. Dr Hanif emphasised the importance of awareness and regular monitoring in combating hypertension, a growing health concern worldwide. Hypertension is often referred to as the "silent killer" because it can gradually build up in the body without noticeable symptoms, ultimately leading to severe cardiovascular issues like myocardial infarction, stroke and heart failure, he mentioned. According to Dr Bashir Hanif, around 42% of people in Pakistan are unaware of hypertension symptoms and lack disease awareness, highlighting a significant need for education and awareness efforts. Dr Bashir Hanif stated that more than 52% of people in Pakistan are affected by hypertension, underscoring the widespread nature of this health issue in the country. He further mentioned that according to a global health survey report, hypertension has been the leading cause of death and disability-adjusted life years worldwide since 1990. By 2025, the number of people with hypertension is expected to surge by 15-20%, reaching nearly 1.5 billion.
