France bans smoking in public spaces - The decision includes beaches, parks and areas near schools
France plans to ban smoking on beaches, in parks, outside schools and other public spaces from July 1, to reduce the risk of cancer and discourage people from smoking.
The ban, which follows similar measures in the European continent, which is increasingly opposing smoking, will exclude outdoor cafe terraces and will not apply to electronic cigarettes.
In addition to beaches, parks and school facades, the decision will also apply to bus stops, public gardens, in front of libraries, swimming pools, sports facilities and places where activities for young people take place.
Tobacco consumption kills 75,000 people in France each year and 200 people a day, the French health ministry said, adding that the social cost amounts to 150 billion euros annually.
According to the ministry, 15.6% of young people aged 17 and over smoked daily in 2023. At this age, brain development is not yet complete and the risk of addiction is higher.
The aim of the ban is to give young people the impression that smoking is not normal, said Philippe Bergerot, head of the League Against Cancer. He argues that if smokers do not regularly see people smoking, they will gradually stop the habit.
Several local authorities in France have introduced 7,000 smoke-free zones in recent years, many in partnership with the League Against Tobacco. Beach managers said the ban would also eliminate pollution from cigarette butts. The health ministry said 20,000 to 25,000 tonnes of such waste are collected each year.
Smoking in France is at an all-time low, with less than a quarter of people aged 18-75 smoking every day, according to the latest report from the French Observatory on Drugs and Addiction Trends. This is the lowest rate since the observatory began keeping records in the late 1990s.
However, according to a study by the Australian organization CPR First Aid, which analyzed data between 2010 and 2023, France is the country with the second highest percentage of tobacco consumers in its population, after Indonesia, with 29.71% of the population identifying as smokers.
A survey by the League Against Cancer showed that 8 out of 10 French people are also calling for a ban on e-cigarettes.
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