France bans smoking on beaches, parks and school grounds

The French government announced on Thursday (29) that it will ban cigarettes in open public places where there may be children, such as beaches, parks, school areas, bus stations and sports venues, starting July 1.

“Where there are children, tobacco must disappear,” said Health and Families Minister Catherine Vautrin in an interview published on the website of local newspaper Ouest-France.

Violating the rule carries a fine of 135 euros (R$867), said Vautrin, who believes that the freedom to smoke “ends where children’s right to breathe clean air begins.”

In addition to nursery and primary schools, colleges and high schools remain included in the areas where smoking is prohibited. The measure aims to prevent students from smoking in front of the establishments.

However, the ban does not include café terraces or electronic cigarettes.

Tobacco addiction causes 75,000 deaths annually in France.

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