France will ban smoking in all outdoor public places frequented by children, including beaches, parks, and bus stops, according to the health and family minister.
“Tobacco must disappear where there are children,” Catherine Vautrin said in an interview with the regional daily newspaper Ouest-France. The freedom to smoke “stops where children’s right to breathe clean air starts,” she added.
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The restrictions, set to take effect on July 1, will encompass all locations where children are likely to be present, such as “beaches, parks, public gardens, outside of schools, bus stops and sports venues.” Violators could face fines of up to €135 ($154).
Cafe terraces will be excluded from the ban, and it will not apply to electronic cigarettes.
An estimated 75,000 people in France die each year from tobacco-related complications. A recent opinion survey indicated that 62% of French people support banning smoking in public places.
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