France bans smoking in all outdoor locations that children can visit frequently.
The ban comes into effect on July 1st and includes beaches, parks, public gardens, outdoor schools, bus stops and sports venues.
“Cigarettes must disappear where there are children,” Vaultlin said in an interview published daily by Ouest-France.
Vautrin added, “Freedom of smoke must end where the freedom of the child will begin to breathe fresh air.”
The outdoor area of the cafe and bar known as the terrace will be exempt from the ban, she said.
Vautrin explained that breaking the rules will result in a fine of 135 euros (113 pounds, $153).
She added that although regular police enforce the ban, she believes in “self-regulation.”
Although e-cigarettes are exempt, Vautrin said it is working to introduce restrictions on the amount of nicotine contained.
According to the French Surveillance Drug Addiction Centre, 23.1% of the French population smokes on a daily basis. It is the lowest percentage ever recorded, exceeding five points since 2014.
The French National Committee on Smoking says that more than 75,000 smokers die from tobacco-related illnesses each year – 13% of all deaths.
Smoking in restaurants and nightclubs has been prohibited in France since 2008.
The broad measures to ban smoking in beaches, parks and other public places were intended to be launched in 2024, but the required orders were never adopted.
But more than 1,500 municipalities have already voluntarily banned smoking in public places, and hundreds of beaches across France have banned smoking for a fierce year.
A recent report by La Ligue Contre Le Cancer of the French Cancer Society shows that nearly 80% of French people support a ban on smoking in public places such as Woodlands, beaches, parks and terraces.
