Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin announced the new measures on Thursday, 29 May, in an interview with the French newspaper Ouest-France.
“Tobacco must disappear where there are children,” Vautrin stated firmly. “The freedom to smoke stops where children’s right to breathe clean air starts.”
The regulation will also prohibit students from smoking in front of schools—a common sight in many parts of France.
Those who fail to complywith the new rules face fines of up to €135 (approximately £115 or $154).
However, the ban does not extend to France’s iconic outdoor café terraces, nor will it apply to the use of electronic cigarettes.
France has long enforced bans on smoking in numerous indoor public spaces, including workplaces, airports, train stations, and playgrounds. But anti-smoking advocates have been urging the government to expand these restrictions to outdoor areas where children are often present.
The new measures come amid growing concerns over the country’s high smoking rates. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 35 per cent of France’s population smokes—significantly higher than the European average of 25 per cent and the global average of 21 per cent.
Advocates hope the new rules will further curb tobacco use in France, while helping to create cleaner, healthier environments for children.
