On July 1, 2025, France will experience a significant turning point in the fight against smoking. Twenty years after banning smoking on trains, the government is preparing to strengthen its anti-smoking policy with strict measures that will affect beaches, parks, and other public places frequented by children. This major change aims to protect the next generation from tobacco and preserve the quality of our public spaces. Want to better understand what's changing, why these rules are coming now, and how to prepare for them? Read this article to learn everything you need to know about this topic that has become a key issue in the public health debate.
The Context and the Official Announcement: Towards a Tobacco-Free Generation
July 1, 2025, will mark a key milestone in the fight against tobacco in France. The government has announced a formal ban on smoking in many public places starting this date. Targeting spaces frequented by children is no coincidence: the Health Minister's stated ambition is clear: she wants to establish a tobacco-free generation.
Where will smoking be banned?
From this summer, it will no longer be possible to smoke:
- On the 2,000 km of beaches along the French coast during the summer period
- In all public parks
- At the bus shelters
- Around schools and sports facilities
- Near libraries
The goal is clear: to remove smoke and cigarette butts from places where children and families gather. Violators face a fine of 135 euros.
"Where there are children, tobacco must disappear." — Speech by the Minister of Health
This change comes twenty years after the ban on smoking on trains, introduced in 2005. Today, the State is going further and specifically targeting places where children live to prevent this practice from becoming commonplace.
To follow all the news related to anti-smoking legislation, consult the tobacco news page on TF1 Info .
Why Ban Smoking on Beaches and Other Public Spaces?
During the summer, French beaches welcome thousands of families every day. Many vacationers regularly complain about cigarette butts found in the sand and worry about the effects of smoke on children's health.
Protecting children: a priority objective
There is often a tendency to trivialize the presence of cigarettes in public spaces. However, the protection of young people is one of the main reasons for this ban. Children play on the ground and easily pick up objects lying around, especially cigarette butts, which poses a real hygiene problem. The risks of passive smoking have also been known and documented for a long time. According to Public Health France , passive smoking can cause serious health problems in children, particularly respiratory problems.
"I agree with the ban because when children play on the beach, we find cigarette butts. It's not hygienic for them." — Comments collected on an affected beach
Fight against pollution
On some beaches, smoke-free areas already exist, but they are no longer sufficient. Cigarette butts are one of the main sources of plastic pollution in the marine and terrestrial environments. These small pieces of waste, too often thrown directly into the sand, take years to degrade and can be ingested by animals.
"I think it would cause less pollution on the beaches." — A vacationer on the measure
Preventing tobacco-related diseases
Tobacco-related cancer remains one of the most common cancers in France. Health associations and professionals emphasize that prevention also involves setting an example in public spaces.
The expected benefits of the ban
- Decrease in children's exposure to passive smoking
- Significant reduction in cigarette butts in public places
- Protection of fauna and flora on the coasts
- Participation in the denormalization of tobacco in society
To learn more about the harmful effects of passive smoking on children, consult the dedicated health information sheet on Santé Publique France .
Additional Measures: Parks, Bus Shelters, Libraries and More
The new regulations don't just affect beaches. Certain public places will now be strictly smoke-free year-round. This measure aims to improve the safety and health of everyone, especially children and teenagers.
The places concerned
- Public parks (including playgrounds)
- Bus shelters and public transport stops
- Municipal or school libraries
- Immediate surroundings of schools from primary to secondary school
- Proximity to gyms, fields and sports facilities
These spaces bring together thousands of citizens every day, the majority of whom are young people. It is therefore important to guarantee them clean air and a clean environment.
"I wouldn't mind leaving the park to smoke. I understand the decision." — Parisian park user
Adopting this new habit of smoking only in authorized places should therefore be easy to establish. Habits are already well established for some: "I already avoid smoking when there are people around me."
To follow reactions to this measure in real time, join TF1 Info on Instagram , Facebook or Twitter .
Electronic Cigarette: What Will Change in 2026
The government's new anti-smoking policy doesn't stop at traditional cigarettes. Starting in 2026, e-cigarettes will also be in the public eye. Several measures are on the table to limit their appeal, especially among young people.
What are the rules for electronic cigarettes?
The government plans to:
- A reduction in the number of fragrances available commercially
- A reduction in the authorized nicotine level in e-liquids
The stated aim is to make these products less attractive, particularly to teenagers, many of whom are trying vaping.
What do the experts think?
According to some tobacco specialists, reducing nicotine intake isn't necessarily an effective way to combat addiction. During the TF1 Info investigation, one of the specialists pointed out: "If I get enough nicotine from a puff of vaping, I'll vape less often and calm my cravings more quickly." By reducing nicotine levels, vapers might be tempted to increase their consumption to achieve the same effect.
For the time being, the government has no plans to increase the price of tobacco, unlike in other European countries where price increases have proven effective.
What is an electronic cigarette?
A less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes heat a liquid, often flavored, to produce a vapor containing nicotine. Experts are still divided over its role in the fight against tobacco, but they point out that going completely tobacco-free remains the best option for health.
To find out about recent studies, you can consult the Inserm space on e-cigarettes .
Quick comparison: classic cigarettes vs. electronic cigarettes
- Classic cigarettes: Banned in public places from July 2025, no flavors available, stable nicotine levels, targeted by the tax increase policy (not in 2025)
- Electronic cigarettes: Limited flavors and nicotine levels from 2026, no price measures yet
Social Reactions and Implications: What the French Think
The announcement of these measures prompted reactions from citizens, parents, the education sector, and the health sector. In reports from beaches and parks, most users expressed support for the ban.
Many parents express relief knowing their children will be playing on cleaner beaches. Teachers and summer camp counselors emphasize the importance of protecting young children from the effects of tobacco and the bad example set by adults.
Professionals also applaud the decision, recalling that "a huge rate of cancer is still linked to tobacco in France ." The idea of a tobacco-free generation carries an inspiring and empowering social dynamic.
“Protecting children from smoking is a shared ambition!” — Summer camp leader
Of course, some smokers express mild irritation at the loss of freedom. Yet, many agree that it is possible to respect the new rules, out of civic duty and concern for others.
This will make cleaning public spaces and combating cigarette butt litter much easier.
To further discuss the societal impact of this measure, visit Le Monde , which offers numerous insights into public health.
“We must create a tobacco-free generation!” — Minister of Health
How to Prepare for the New Rule
The day cigarettes are banned
Some useful tips
- Find out where smoking will be allowed in
- Plan smoking breaks when you go out,
- Consider using alternatives like cigarettes
- Consider the possibility of quitting
Of the
- The Tabac info service website offers a
- You can consult a
- Many associations and centers
The first steps to cutting down or stopping
- Fix yourself
- Identify risky situations
- Talk to those around you for support
- Use free tools and apps
- Ask professionals for help
Sharing your experiences, doubts, or successes in the comments can also help other readers take the plunge.
Resources and Useful Links
For
- TF1 Info : all the
- Public Health France : information on
- Inserm : research on
- Tobacco Information Service: free help to quit
- TF1 Info social networks : to follow
Please feel free to use these links for yourself.
Conclusion
The ban on smoking on beaches, in parks, and near schools marks a real leap forward in French public health policy. This new step, focused on protecting children and preserving our living spaces, is based on common sense and consideration for future generations. If you are a smoker, consider anticipating these changes and explore the many support programs available. France wants to make 2025 the year when cigarettes are marginalized in our shared spaces. Together, let's make this change a success and, why not, the beginning of a life without them?
0 Comments