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Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
France says ‘No Merci' to outdoor smoking: Public places including parks, beaches to go smoke-free
In a bold move to protect public health and clean up the air, France is set to ban smoking in most outdoor public spaces starting July 1, 2025. The new regulations will apply to beaches, parks, bus stops, and areas near schools. While outdoor café terraces and electronic cigarettes are exempt for now, the government is considering further restrictions on vaping products. France's health and family minister, Catherine Vautrin, announced that "where there are children, tobacco must disappear". Violators of the smoking ban will face fines of €114. The enforcement will be carried out by municipal police, and the government plans to increase support for smokers who wish to quit. This nationwide ban is part of France's National Anti-Tobacco Programme for 2023–2027, aiming to create a "tobacco-free generation" by 2032. Tobacco-related illnesses currently cause approximately 75,000 deaths annually in France. Despite a decline in smoking rates, with about 23% of French adults smoking daily, the country still has one of the highest smoking rates in Europe. The decision to implement this ban is also driven by health and environmental concerns. Air pollution in Île-de-France, for example, is responsible for 7 premature deaths each year and contributes to chronic diseases like asthma and respiratory infections. Cigarette butts are also a significant environmental issue, being the second most common form of litter on French beaches after plastic bottles. Why banning smoking in public places is a total win No one wants to be minding their business at a café, park, or bus stop and suddenly get a face full of someone else's cigarette smoke. It's gross, it smells bad, and let's not even get started on what it does to your lungs. That's why banning smoking in public places is honestly one of the smartest moves cities and countries have been making. It's not just about being polite—it's about protecting people's health, creating cleaner spaces, and encouraging better habits. First off, secondhand smoke is a real problem. It's not just annoying—it's dangerous. According to health experts, breathing in someone else's smoke can increase your risk of heart disease, cancer, and respiratory problems. And the worst part? You didn't even choose it. Banning smoking in public means people—especially kids, the elderly, and those with asthma—don't have to suffer just because someone nearby lit up. Everyone has the right to breathe clean air without needing to dodge clouds of smoke every time they leave the house. Then there's the fact that public smoking bans actually help smokers too. Sounds weird, right? But it's true. When you reduce the number of places people are allowed to smoke, it cuts down on their triggers and opportunities. For a lot of smokers, that makes quitting just a little easier. It's like removing the temptation from their daily routine—less "I'll just have one with my coffee" moments. And let's talk about litter. Ever looked down on a sidewalk and seen it absolutely covered in cigarette butts? They're everywhere. They're tiny, nasty, and take years to break down. Banning public smoking seriously reduces this kind of pollution. Cleaner streets, cleaner parks, and fewer toxic chemicals getting washed into our drains and waterways. Sounds like a win, right? Plus, these bans help shift the social norm. If smoking isn't allowed in public, it gradually becomes less 'normal' to smoke. That's huge, especially for the younger generation. Teens and young adults are way more likely to avoid picking up the habit if they don't constantly see it around them. It's about setting a better example and making smoking look less glamorous, and more like what it actually is: harmful, expensive, and outdated. Of course, smokers have rights too. But public smoking bans don't stop anyone from smoking altogether—they just set boundaries about where it's okay to do it. Think of it like loud music or public drinking: your choices are yours, but not when they affect everyone around you. So yeah, banning smoking in public places? It's not about being uptight—it's about being considerate, healthy, and future-focused. Everyone deserves clean air, a healthier environment, and streets that don't smell like an ashtray. And if a few fewer people pick up smoking along the way? Even better.
MTV Lebanon
3 days ago
- Health
- MTV Lebanon
30 May 2025 13:40 PM France to Ban Outdoor Smoking in Most Public Places
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 percent of France's population are smokers -- higher than the averages for Europe (25 percent) and the world (21 percent), according to the World Health Organization. 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%) favour banning smoking in public places. The government's National Anti-Tobacco Programme for 2023 to 2027 proposed a smoking ban similar to the one announced by Vautrin, calling France to "rise to the challenge of a tobacco-free generation from 2032". But anti-tobacco organisations had voiced concern the authorities were dragging their feet on implementing the measures. More than 1,500 cities and villages had already imposed their own bans on smoking in public spaces such as parks, beaches and ski slopes. 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.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
New ban to be rolled out across France in nearly all outdoor areas including beaches and parks with £114 fines
Plus, a pub becomes the first boozer in country to introduce major rule across entire premises… but some punters aren't happy BLOW OUT New ban to be rolled out across France in nearly all outdoor areas including beaches and parks with £114 fines Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FRANCE is banning smoking in all outdoor places that children can often be found in, including beaches, parks and bus stops. France's health and family minister announced on Thursday that "where there are children, tobacco must disappear". Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The ban is being introduced to protect children Credit: Getty In an interview, Catherine Vautrin went on to explain that the restrictions will come into force on July 1. Anyone who fails to follow the new rules could be faced with a £114 fine. The minister added that children have the "right to clean air". Cigarettes will also be banned in areas close to schools, to prevent students being tempted to smoke in front of their school. The ban, however, will not apply to cafe terraces or include electronic cigarettes. The French government's National Anti-Tobacco Programme for 2023-2027 proposed a smoking ban similar to the one announced by Vautrin. The ban called for France to "rise to the challenge of a tobacco-free generation from 2032". However, anti-tobacco organisations raised concerns about the authorities being slow to implement the measures. Vautrin added that there were no current places to place additional taxes on cigarettes at the moment. The French Health Ministry is also working to "lower the permitted nicotine level" in electronic smoking devices and is aiming to "reduce the number of flavours", reports Mail Online. French Mountain Towns Smoking in certain venues, such as restaurants and nightclubs, is already banned in France. Now, over 1,500 municipalities in France have agreed to ban smoking in public spaces. The news in France follows a number of other smoking-related bans being enforced across Europe. For example, in the UK from June 1, disposable vapes will no longer be allowed to be sold in the UK. And in Spain, there are plans to introduce a new anti-smoking law, which includes vapes, across multiple public spaces. Speaking to SER Radio, Spain's health minister, Monica Garcia said that a draft of Spain's anti-smoking law has been virtually completed. 4 The ban, however, will not apply to cafe terraces or include electronic cigarettes Credit: Getty She added that the smoke-free area will be extended to terraces, canopies, work vehicles, university campuses, school playgrounds, sports facilities, public swimming pools and outdoor leisure areas. The ban will apply to all conventional tobacco and vapes too. According to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, the beaches of Muro near Alcudia in north east Majorca and Port de Sant Miquel have joined the smoke-free campaign to prevent smoking. The campaign now has 50 beaches in the Balearic network of smoke-free beaches. In addition, 10 beaches in Barcelona and 28 beaches in the Balearic Islands have banned the use of vapes. In Andalucía, 61 beaches on the Canary Islands have been declared smoke-free, and 18 beaches in the Costa del Sol also have. 4 The news comes as disposable vapes are due to be banned in the UK this weeked Credit: Getty Also, in Costa Blanca, one in four beaches has banned smoking. Garcia was also asked about the possibility of raising tobacco prices. She expressed her full support, noting that pricing policy is "one of the most effective tools" in reducing tobacco consumption, Canarian Weekly reports. Brits have also been warned after a major destination bans nicotine pouches – and visitors face 'terrifying' six-figure fine and jail. Plus, a pub becomes the first boozer in country to introduce major rule across entire premises… but some punters aren't happy.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
New ban to be rolled out across France in nearly all outdoor areas including beaches and parks with £114 fines
FRANCE is banning smoking in all outdoor places that children can often be found in, including beaches, parks and bus stops. France's health and family minister announced on Thursday that "where there are children, tobacco must disappear". 4 The ban is being introduced to protect children Credit: Getty In an interview, Catherine Vautrin went on to explain that the restrictions will come into force on July 1. Anyone who fails to follow the new rules could be faced with a £114 fine. The minister added that children have the "right to clean air". Cigarettes will also be banned in areas close to schools , to prevent students being tempted to smoke in front of their school. Read more on France The ban, however, will not apply to The French government's National Anti-Tobacco Programme for 2023-2027 proposed a smoking ban similar to the one announced by Vautrin. The ban called for the challenge of a tobacco-free generation from 2032". However, anti-tobacco organisations raised concerns about the authorities being slow to implement the measures. Most read in News Travel Vautrin added that there were no current places to place additional taxes on cigarettes at the moment. The French Health Ministry is also working to "lower the permitted nicotine level" in electronic smoking devices and is aiming to "reduce the number of flavours", reports French Mountain Towns Smoking in certain venues, such as restaurants and Now, over 1,500 municipalities in France have agreed to ban smoking in The news in France follows a number of other smoking-related bans being enforced across Europe. For example, in the UK from June 1, disposable vapes will no longer be allowed to be sold in the UK. And in Spain, there are plans to introduce a new anti-smoking law , which includes vapes, across multiple public spaces. Speaking to SER Radio , Spain 's health minister, Monica Garcia said that a draft of Spain's anti-smoking law has been virtually completed. 4 The ban, however, will not apply to cafe terraces or include electronic cigarettes Credit: Getty She added that the smoke-free area will be extended to terraces, canopies, work vehicles, university campuses, school playgrounds, sports facilities, public swimming pools and outdoor leisure areas. The ban will apply to all conventional tobacco and vapes too. According to the The campaign now has 50 In addition, 10 beaches in In Andalucía, 61 beaches on the Canary Islands have been declared smoke-free, and 18 beaches in the 4 The news comes as disposable vapes are due to be banned in the UK this weeked Credit: Getty Also, in Costa Blanca, one in four beaches has banned smoking. Garcia was also asked about the possibility of raising tobacco prices. She expressed her full support, noting that pricing policy is "one of the most effective tools" in reducing tobacco consumption, Brits have also been Plus, 4 Spain also announced bans on smoking yesterday Credit: Alamy
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
France to ban smoking outdoors in most places: Minister
The new ban, which will enter into force on July 1, will cover all spaces where children could be present. PHOTO: REUTERS France to ban smoking outdoors in most places: Minister PARIS - 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 on May 29. 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,' Ms 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 (S$198), Ms Vautrin said. Cafe terraces escape ban 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. 'Tobacco-free generation' The government's National Anti-Tobacco Programme for 2023 to 2027 proposed a smoking ban similar to the one announced by Ms Vautrin, calling France to 'rise to the challenge of a tobacco-free generation from 2032'. But anti-tobacco organisations had voiced concern the authorities were dragging their feet on implementing the measures. More than 1,500 cities and villages had already imposed their own bans on smoking in public spaces such as parks, beaches and ski slopes. Ms 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 Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
