France Implements Smoking Ban on Beaches and Public Parks
France takes a bold step towards public health by prohibiting smoking on beaches and in public parks With 75,000 tobacco-related deaths annually, the government's new measures aim to safeguard its citizens and create a smoke-free environment for all
The French government announced plans to outlaw smoking on beaches and in public parks in an effort to prevent 75,000 tobacco-related deaths annually and to create a "tobacco-free generation by 2032." France's health minister presented the series of measures as part of a broader initiative to combat smoking.
French Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau announced on Tuesday that smoking will soon be prohibited on beaches, public parks, forests, and other public spaces close to schools in France. While an exact timeline was not provided, the minister suggested that fines could be implemented as early as next year during an interview with CNN-affiliate BFMTV.
Rousseau has announced a planned incremental rise in cigarette prices, with a packet set to cost €12 ($13) by 2025 and €13 ($14) by 2027. In addition to this, France had previously declared its intention to ban disposable e-cigarettes in September.
Rousseau explained to BFMTV that the goal of the plan is to put an end to the normalization of smoking. He emphasized the need to eliminate the enjoyable and recreational image associated with smoking, stressing that the daily toll of 200 avoidable deaths linked to tobacco is unacceptable.
