The measure is part of the National Tobacco Control Program 2023-2027 in France, which aims to create a generation without smokers until 2040.
France is intensifying its anti-tabaco efforts with a total prohibition of smoking in public areas frequented by young peoplewhich will come into force on July 1. New measures will ban smoking on beaches, parks, sports facilities, bus stops, gardens and close to schools, and offenders may be fined 135 euros.
The French Ministry of Health explained that the ban is part of a wider strategy for “Denormalize the tobacco and limit its attraction”, Especially for children and adolescents. Smoking is one of the main health problems in France, responsible for 75,000 deaths per year and for annual health costs that reach 150 billion euros, writes the.
The French Minister of Health and family, Catherine Vautrin, stressed the importance of protecting young people. “Where there are children, the tobacco must disappear”He said, stressing that the right of children to a pure air is more important than the freedom to smoke.
Although smoking rates are decreasing, smoking among young people remains a concern. In 2023, Almost 16% of 17 -year -olds In France they smoked daily. “We have to end the early smoke factory: at 17, we built our future, not our addiction,” said the Ministry of Health.
Smoking will continue to smoke on the terraces of the cafes and electronic cigarettes are, for now, exempt from the ban. However, the government is taking action to restrict nicotine levels in tobacco and vaporizers products and to limit vaporizers’ flavors until mid -2026.
These measures are part of the National Tobacco Control Program 2023-2027 of France and are in line with the EU cancer fight plan, which aims to create a “Generation without tobacco”Until 2040.
Although there are no current plans to increase taxes on tobacco or lower the age limit to smoking, Vautrin stated the government’s commitment to reduce tobacco consumption. “Protecting young people, preventing dependence, developing consumption – this is a commitment, a responsibility, an absolute priority,” he said.
