This government decision unifies regulations nationwide. Violators will be liable to a fine of 135 euros.

“Beaches, public parks and gardens, school surroundings, bus shelters, and sports facilities will be smoke-free throughout France” starting July 1st, announced Catherine Vautrin, Minister of Health, in an interview with the daily newspaper Ouest-France to be published this Friday, May 30th.

“Where there are children, tobacco must disappear,” asserted the minister, interviewed specifically on the occasion of “World No Tobacco Day,” which will take place this Saturday, May 31st.

The ban on smoking on beaches and in public gardens was already in effect in some municipalities. This government decision legalizes and unifies regulations nationwide. Violators will be subject to a fine of €135 as of July 1st. According to the minister, enforcement will be carried out by local and national police forces.

Catherine Vautrin points out that “smoking kills 75,000 people each year in France.” A figure resulting from an extrapolation and which was already invoked by Claude Evin at the time of the vote on his anti-smoking law in 1991.

The measure announced today by the Minister of Health does not concern e-cigarettes. Catherine Vautrin also did not announce any tightening of anti-smoking regulations for café and restaurant terraces – “we are focusing on places where there are a lot of children,” she specified. She assured that no increase in tobacco taxes is planned “as I speak.”