France says Europa Ade to smoke on beaches and parks

France says Europa Ade to smoke on beaches and parks

This summer a cigarette could be associated with an unexpected price at sunset under the Eiffel Tower in Paris. From July 1, France banned smoking in all outdoor areas that are frequented by children. This includes parks, beaches, public gardens, bus stops, school entrances and sports facilities. This comprehensive ban is part of President Emmanuel Macron's promise to create the "first tobacco -free generation" by 2032.

strict measures against smoking

Smoking in these zones could bring smokers more than just an evil eye from passers -by. Anyone who violates the rules - including unsuspecting tourists - has to expect a fine of 90 euros if they pay within 15 days; After this period, the fine increases to 135 euros (around $ 150).

France's pioneering role in the Tobacco Control Act

"France positions itself as one of the proactive countries in Europe in relation to tobacco control," Raquel Venâncio, senior politician at Smoke Free Partnership, a coalition of European organizations for tobacco control, told CNN. While countries such as Spain and Italy have introduced restrictions on smoking in certain areas at local or regional level, France is characterized by a nationwide ban on smoking on the beach.

social reactions and resistance

Not all citizens support the new regulations. "The longer the time flies, the more the government wants to restrict our most fundamental freedom," says 25-year-old student Elise Levaux. "If you are respectful - don't throw the cigarette in the park or on the beach and do not mind - I don't see the problem. Why should smoking suddenly be treated like a crime?"

a cultural change in dealing with tobacco

The new regulations undoubtedly represent a fundamental change in a country that was long connected to the cigarette culture. French icons such as Brigitte Bardot or Charles de Gaulle were rarely seen without a Gauloises - the archetypal French brand. "France's intellectual circles and film culture have normalized cigarettes over generations," remarked Venâncio. "For decades, the political will was missing to ban smoking."

smoking rate and tobacco consumption in France

smoking in France has been at the lowest level since the 1990s, reports the National Committee against Tobacco (CNCT). Today, about a third of the adults smoke in France, with 23%of the adults, to smoke daily. The tobacco consumption drops Especially Only 16% of the 17-year-olds in 2022 to smoke daily-a decrease of 25% within six years.

black market for cigarettes

Despite this progress, France remains one of the most tobacco-dependent countries in Europe, which partially on a " explosion "in the cigarette smuggling is due, mostly from Bulgaria, Turkey and Algeria. In 2024 alone, an estimated 18.7 billion illegal cigarettes were consumed in France, such as a kpmg corresponds to astonishing 38% of tobacco consumption and makes it the largest illegal tobacco market in Europe.

The challenges of tobacco control

Most regular smokers start in their teenage years, with almost 90% of them start smoking before they are 18, according to the Ministry of Health. "I've been smoking since I was 14," says 25-year-old Jane, who did not want to name her last name. "Most of my friends started just as early. With or without a fine: we will continue to smoke. It is part of French identity - we are fighting for what we want. We are not robots."

protection of young people in focus

In an explanation of CNN, Minister of Health Catherine Vautrin emphasized that "the protection of youth and the demormalization of smoking" were an "absolute priority" for the government. "At 17 you should build your future, not your addiction," she said. "Where there are children, tobacco has to disappear."

regulations for e-cigarettes and steam products

In contrast to Belgium and the United Kingdom, which recently banned the sale of For the time being, there is no ban on e-cigarettes in France. However, the new provisions provide for a reduction in the permitted nicotine values ​​in steam products and strict restrictions on tastes such as cotton candy, which are considered appealing by critics for young people.

tobacco consumption remains the leading preventive health risk in the European Union, which almost 700,000 early deaths EU numbers. In France alone it is 75,000 deaths per year-that corresponds 200 deaths per day , in accordance with the state of the country.

pollution from cigarette butts

In addition to the direct damage to smokers and their surroundings, tobacco products are also an environmental risk. According to estimates, between 20,000 and 25,000 tons of cigarette pump are disposed of in France, the Ministry of Health reports.

legal gaps in dealing with tobacco

France banned the sale of cigarettes to minors under the age of 18 in 2009. However, the enforcement was lax: a study by the CNCT showed that Fast Two thirds of the tobacco transactions continue to sell cigarettes to minor buyers. While minors are prohibited from buying tobacco, there is no law that forbids smoking - a legal gap that the government wants to address in future laws.

tradition vs. modern tobacco control

In contrast to Sweden- the only European country that has completely banned smoking on restaurant and bar terraces- France still allows smoking in these areas. Even the United Kingdom, which has some of the strictest anti-smoking guidelines in Europe, allows smoking in beer garden.

lobbying of the tobacco industry

"We have been trying to assemble a smoking ban on terraces for almost a decade, but it is very challenging," says Amélie Eschenbrenner, spokeswoman for the French National Committee for Tobacco Control (CNCT), to CNN. "A cigarette with a glass of wine - this is an integral part of French culture."

The influence of tobacco shops

France has almost 23,000 licensed tobacco shops that can be found on the corners of many city roads. A CNCT study showed that tobacco dealers enjoy comparable support from the population like the health authorities. "They use their popularity to influence decision -makers, especially parliamentarians," said Eschenbrenner. "That is why it is so difficult to enforce a comprehensive ban."

outlook on future changes

But changes could be on the horizon. "In 2007, when France enforced a ban on smoking in restaurants, bars and night clubs, there was a lot of headwind," recalls Eschenbrenner. "But people got used to it over time and accepted it. The same will probably be the case with these new regulations - and hopefully also with a future ban on terrace smokers."

European health strategies

The goal of a tobacco -free generation

"Tobacco is poison," said Vautrin. "He kills, costs, contaminates. I refuse to give up the fight. Every day without tobacco means a saved life. Our goal is clear: a tobacco -free generation, and we have the means to achieve this."