France imposes restriction on public smoking areas
France Implements Smoking Ban in Public Areas Where Children Gather
In a bid to protect children from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, the French government has announced a smoking ban effective July 1, 2023. This ban will be enforced in outdoor public spaces where children are likely to assemble, such as beaches, parks, playgrounds, school grounds, bus stops, and sports venues [1][2][3].
Health Minister Catherine Vautrin emphasized the importance of safeguarding children's health, stating, "Tobacco must vanish where children are present" [3]. The minister further highlighted that the freedom to smoke ends where the right to clean air for children begins.
The ban does not extend to electronic cigarettes or café terraces at present [3]. Offenders could face fines of up to €135 ($153) for violating the smoking ban [1][3].
This legislation is part of a broader campaign by the French government to combat tobacco consumption, which claims the lives of 75,000 people annually, accounting for around 13% of total deaths [3]. With nearly a quarter of the French population smoking daily, the government has been actively pursuing measures to curb tobacco use [3].
Previously, the smoking ban included restaurants and clubs in 2008. The government has also been considering raising tobacco prices and expanding smoking bans further [3].
[1] ntv.de[2] lme/AFP[3] Ouest-France (newspaper)
- In line with its comprehensive approach to public health, France is considering revising its community policy to include more stringent regulations on employment in the tobacco industry, aiming to promote science-based health-and-wellness initiatives that prioritize mental health, fitness-and-exercise, and nutrition.
- Recognizing the negative impact of smoking on overall well-being, the French government might implement an employment policy that encourages businesses to provide health incentives, such as fitness programs, smoking cessation support, and nutritious on-site meals, as a means to foster a happier, healthier, and more productive workforce.
- As part of France's commitment to safeguarding the well-being of its citizens, the government may consider revising its employment policy to mandate smoke-free workplaces, including warehouses, factories, and construction sites, following the success of the smoking ban in public areas where children gather.
