France is pulling the ripcord: smoking ban on beaches and parks from July!

France is pulling the ripcord: smoking ban on beaches and parks from July!

From July 1, 2025, France will introduce a comprehensive ban on smoking in many public places. These include beaches, public parks, bus stops, school environments and sports facilities. This measure is part of a new anti-smoking strategy that is intended to protect children and young people, as the Ministry of Health explains. If smokers violate the ban, they face fines of up to 135 euros. E-cigarettes are initially exempt from this ban, but further measures to regulate nicotine content and flavors in e-cigarettes are being planned. The review of measures to better protect minors is also on the agenda.

The French Ministry of Health's new gambling plan, presented by Minister Aurélien Rousseau on November 28, 2023, has the long-term goal of achieving a tobacco-free generation. The national tobacco control plan (2023-2027) aims to reduce smoking among young people. Statistics already show a positive trend: the proportion of young people who smoke fell from 2017 to 2022. In France, around 12 million people smoke every day, and smoking is considered the most common preventable cause of death, responsible for around 75,000 deaths annually.

Long-term goals and price increases

Part of the plan also calls for an increase in cigarette prices. By 2027, the price of a pack of cigarettes is expected to rise from currently around 11 euros to 13 euros, with the first increase to 12 euros scheduled to take place in 2025. This measure is part of an inflation adjustment of the tobacco tax that was changed in 2022. It is estimated that there will be a price increase of 40 to 50 cents starting January 1, 2024, according to the Confederation of Tobacco Sellers.

The importance of tobacco use to public health cannot be overstated. According to Statista, smoking and related diseases are major risk factors that cause many deaths each year. The pressure on the government to take effective measures against smoking is constantly growing, especially in view of the enormous numbers - in Germany alone, around 143,000 people die every year as a result of smoking.

Global perspective and national comparisons

Tobacco consumption is not only an urgent problem in France. In Germany, one in four adults smokes regularly. But the situation is also alarming internationally: the highest proportions of smokers worldwide can be found in countries such as Nauru and Indonesia, while France ranks fourth in the OECD comparison. These global statistics highlight the importance of preventive measures.

The new regulations being implemented at the national level in France are part of a broader trend towards restrictive measures against smoking. The protection of children and young people and the promotion of a smoke-free lifestyle are at the forefront of the political agenda. Experts are optimistic that these measures will lead to a noticeable reduction in tobacco consumption in the long term.